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| Sunday, 4 January 2004 |
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President leaves for Islamabad SAARC initiative to curb terrorism by S. Selvakumar President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga left for Islamabad last night to attend the 12th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) and is expected to focus Sri Lanka's attention to strengthen ties among the seven countries to curb regional terrorism, promote economic development and tourism. Kumaratunga was Chairperson of the SAARC from 1998 to 2002 and handed over the leadership to Nepal at the last summit held in Kathmandu. She was a prominent leader of the organisation since she assumed the country's Presidency in 1994 and represented Sri Lanka at all subsequent SAARC summits. "The encouraging detente between India and Pakistan is foremost in the President's mind and she will use this opportunity to develop cordial relationship among the seven nations" President's Director General Media, Janadasa Peiris told the Sunday Observer. The recent failed attempts on the life of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will also be taken into account when the leaders discuss the need for wider co-operation in curbing terrorism in the region. President Kumaratunga stressed on this point when she last addressed the Kathmandu summit in the year 2002 and at the current summit she is expected to spell out the need for additional protocol to tackle terrorist funding throughout the region. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando is already in Islamabad along with the Colombo team comprising Aruni Wijewardene (Director South Asia and SAARC), Shanika Dissanayake (Assistant Director South Asia and SAARC) and K.K. Yoganandan (Assistant Director South Asia and SAARC). Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Male and Bhutan comprise the seven nation SAARC and this time the chairmanship of the organisation will go to the Pakistani President. President Kumaratunga is scheduled to address the summit tomorrow, Monday. |
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