Friday, 19th September 2014
CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE
The Eighth General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) opens today at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre auditorium in Colombo with the participation of over 200 members representing 74 political parties from 30 countries.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will ceremonially open the sessions of the Eighth GA of ICAPP. The President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen, top leaders of other governments, diplomats and observers representing many foreign governments are due to attend this forum.
President Mahinda Rajapksa will be elected as the chair of the ICAPP after the conference opening.
The GA sessions of ICAPP conclude on September 21. Sessions will also be held at the BMICH, Colombo. The theme of the GA of ICAPP this year (2014) is " Building an Asian Community," Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody and Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera said at a press conference which was held at the Mass Media and Information Ministry yesterday.
On the sidelines of the ICAPP, the ICAPP Youth Wing conference will be held under the chairmanship of MP Namal Rajapaksa ," said Weerakkody. The conference of the the ICAPP Women's Wing will be held under the chairmanship of Dr Sudarshani Fenernandopulle.
"The Youth Wing Conference will be held with the participation of more than 350 youth representing electoral organizations from the level of Pardeshiya Sabhas upto the level of Parliament. The members of the Youth Parliament , the National Youth Council, and representatives from various youth orgnisations are also due to attend the Youth Wing Conference," he said.
Speaking on the imporatnce of the ICAPP, Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera said, "As a country that has received significant international attention over the past few years, by holding international conferences of the stature of ICAPP, Sri Lanka has positioned itself to send a strong message to the world in terms of where it stands as a sovereign nation that is rapidly becoming a fast growing national economy and a democracy."
"A declaration, which will be known as "Colombo Declaration" will be made at the conclusion of the summit,centred on building a strong Asian community,"he said.
Eleven countries will participate in the event as observers. Britain is one of them. "The election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chairman of ICAPP, besides his currently held position as the chairman of the Commonwealth, can be perceived as Sri Lanka being strengthened in the Asian region," said Deputy Speaker Weerakkody.
"It must be mentioned that the Asian region has been recognized globally as a fast growing region in relation to economy, social and cultural development, and in terms of political stability from recent times. In this context one cannot overlook the development that Sri Lanka has achieved in the region," he pointed out.
"ICAPP sessions are held to discuss these realities with a focus to build a strong Asian Community," he said.
"The event is co-organized by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. It will be held with representation from all political parties in the country," said Weerakkody.
From : http://www.dailynews.lk:8082/?q=local/president-inaugurate-icapp
