Justice Weeramantry wins UNESCO peace prize

PARIS: Sri Lankan judge Christopher Gregory Weeramantry was awarded yesterday the UNESCO annual prize for peace education, the UN's culture and science organisation said.

Weeramantry was chosen for the 40,000 dollar prize "in recognition of his ongoing commitment and concrete undertakings in support of the concept and culture of peace through his long and fruitful career," UNESCO said in a statement.

Born in 1926 Weeramantry has served as vice-president of the Hague-based International Court of Justice, and in 2001 set up the Weeramantry Centre for Peace Education and Research.

PARIS, Wednesday (AFP)