November 10, 2011, 12:00 pm
By Shamindra Ferdinando
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday briefed Afghan President Hamid Karzai of the rapid progress achieved by Sri Lanka following the defeat of LTTE terrorism in May 2009.
President Rajapaksa explained that the triumph over terrorism had paved the way for the country to move forward. The meeting took place at the Shangri-la in the villingilli island on the sidelines of the 17th SAARC summit in Addu, Male, where leaders of the eight-nation grouping gathered to discuss cooperation among members. But the focus was on Indo-Pakistan relations, with both countries making an effort to stabilize the relationship.
A spokesperson for the Sri Lankan delegation in Addu quoted the Afghan leader as having told President Rajapaksa the South Asian region should join hands to fight terrorism. President Karzai also explored the possibility of having Afghan students accommodated at higher education institutions in Sri Lanka.
Afghan forces backed by foreign troops are battling Taliban. The situation has been complicated by alleged involvement of regional powers in Afghanistan, with the US directly accusing SAARC member Pakistan of backing those spearheading attacks on the US in Afghanistan.
The Sri Lankan delegation comprised External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka, MP Sajin Vas Gunawardene and presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga.
President Rajapaksa met Indian Premier Manmohan Singh and Pakistani Premier Yousaf Raza Gillani, two Commonwealth states, which backed Sri Lanka during the recently concluded CHOGM 2011 when a section of the grouping targeted Sri Lanka over so-called accountability issues.
Source: The Island, November 11, 2011
