 | SAARC conference gets underway tomorrow The SAARC conference which will showcase to the entire world Sri Lanka's resilience against terrorism and the country's vibrant democracy will get underway in Colombo tomorrow. The theme of this year's SAARC summit is "Partnership for our people and according to the Vision". The Summit with the participation of Eight South Asian Leaders will be staged at the BMICH. Afghanistan is attending the Summit for the first time after securing membership of the organisation. Participation of seven countries as observers is a notable feature. The 15th SAARC Summit opens on the 2nd of next month after meetings of Foreign Secretaries and Foreign Ministers. The Government has decided to hold the Leaders' meeting at the Parliamentary Complex. 100 SAARC houses built in Nawalapitiya under the theme, "A House for All" will be declared open tomorrow. A meeting to brief on the programme was held in Colombo today. Minister Rohitha Bogollagama addressing the journalists said this year's Summit can be described as a conference which will provide significant opportunities for a population of 1500 million. The Minister opined that attention will be drawn to fulfilling the responsibility of proper implementation of decisions taken at the 12th Summit in Islamabad, the 13th Summit in Dhaka and the 14th in India. Sri Lanka which is fortunate to assume the Chair of the SAARC outfit is geared to submitting several common proposals important to the region. President Rajapakse will make several important proposals as solutions to the food and oil disputes, the region is facing. Minister Bogollagama said it was hoped to secure regional cooperation for four agreements at the Summit. .The Minister opined that they were able to sign the South Asian Free Trade Agreement and implement it. SAARC has become a Free Trade Zone. They wanted to make it more energetic. An agreement will be signed in Colombo for the establishment of a Development Fund, identified under the poverty alleviation programme. A contribution of 300 million US Dollars, which is approximately 30 billion rupees will be made. Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and many officials were present at this news briefing. |
 | South Asian leaders underline the need to combat terrorism Leaders of the South Asian region have stressed the need to unite to combat terrorism and find successful solutions to the energy crisis and poverty. India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Summit that terrorism continues to raise its ugly head in the region. It remains the single biggest threat to their stability. They cannot afford to lose the battle against the ideologies of hatred, fanaticism and against all those who seek to destroy their social fabric. Dr. Singh said terrorists and extremists know no borders. He referred to the need for joint action with determination to fight against this scourge. He pointed out that construction work on the South Asian University in India will be completed by 2010. Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his address said terrorism cannot be defeated by being isolated. Regional unity is necessary. It was destroying social values in Pakistan. Terrorists are engaged in an effort to make a serious challenge to the country's socio economic development. Pakistan was a country severely impacted by terrorism in comparison to other states in the region. The Pakistani Prime Minister said every country should be aware of the responsibility to eliminate terrorism. He recalled the contributions that can be secured through the SAARC Summit to promote regional agriculture and trade. Chief Advisor of Bangladesh Fakhruddin Ahmed said the spread of terrorism was a severe disaster to the region. Drug trafficking, illegal transport of weapons and the transport of goods covertly was a serious issue to the region. He pointed out that all leaders should draw their attention to these issues. All these activities nurtured terrorism. He stressed the need for the unity of regional leaders to crackdown on such rackets. Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigmi Thinley said launching of a SAARC Development Fund was important to strengthen the economy of South Asia. It will help civilians of the region to receive benefits. The SAARC Summit was being held when there were many global challenges. Soaring oil prices is the worst problem. It had impacted the world economy. As a profitable solution, he cited the launching of as SAARC Food Bank. The Bhutanese Prime Minister praised the importance of the Colombo Declaration for food security to confront challenges faced by the people of the region. The Nepalese caretaker Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in his address said terrorism was seriously impacting peace and coexistence within the region. Mr. Koirala pointed out the need for a socio economic and political development programme based on equality and justice to eliminate terrorism. It is the responsibility of the region to see that terrorism will not raise its head again. An environment for the people of the region to live in peace and coexistence should be created. He also referred to the need to promote trade via SAFTA and launch a programme on behalf of the destitute of the region. President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom said climate change is among the worst challenges confronted by the world. Special attention should be directed to economic development in the region at a time when countries are facing an energy dispute and food prices are increasing. He said the SAARC Summit should focus special attention on meeting the basic needs of the regional population which is rising rapidly. Attention should also focused on the setting up of a Food Bank. This will enable to provide all essential commodities to the region. Afghan President Hamid Karzai addressing the inaugural sessions said due attention should be given to terrorism. Many countries in the region are experiencing serious disputes due to terrorist activities in the past few days. Mr. Karzai underlined the need for a concerted effort by all leaders of the region to eliminate terrorism. He also drew attention to the food crisis, climate change and poverty alleviation. The Afghan leader thanked all state leaders for admitting his country to the Organisation. |
 | terrorism major problem for development, Hindi News Video latest india news updates in hindi over prime minister manmohan singh's visit in SAARC summit in colombo, army called in jammu and second criket test match between india and sri lanka. For more news, information, and updates log on to www.headlinesindia.com |
 | Teej song पल्के भेना बाई......3 लौत मलाई छोउ त मात्रै कोठरीमा खजाउँछु... Y. C. L. लाई लगाएर १२ बजाउँछु । Devi gharti, Radhika Hamal, Resham Sapkota, Mira Sapkota and many more.... |
 | Sri Lanka Army will start attack to Kilinochchi LTTE camps next week Sri Lanka Army will start attack to Kilinochchi LTTE camps next week |
 | The inside stories of the white van syndrome bared Defence authorities have said that the inside of stories spread throughout the past on the white van syndrome, have already come to light.Certain media and the United National Party in the past directly pointed out the finger at the Government on the white van syndrome. Before one hour had passed after a person leaving his the house, he was an abducted person for certain channels. Hot news were telecast that a white van had abducted the person. But return of such a person who went missing for personal reasons was not given publicity by the related channel. The ownership of white vans was vested in the Government. However, the truth was bared when two ITN journalists Thilak Weerasinghe and Suneth Hewawitharana were detained and threatened at Sirikotha, the UNP Headquarters and released with the mediation of the Police. A white van pursued them on their return to ITN. But the journalists managed to avoid the van. Thereafter the genuine owners of the white vans were revealed not only to the country, but to the World. Those who voiced concern over white vans were reticent after the white van which pursued the two ITN journalists. The white van did not remain silent and the fear psychosis surfaced again on last 29th night. A group, which had come in a white van to a restaurant in Dehiwela had attacked the employees and caused damages to the place. They also claimed that they were a group of Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse, as mentioned by the Proprietor of the restaurant to the Police. Security officers, who claimed to be of the Defence Secretary and a white van, were taken into custody due to prompt action initiated by the Police. Thereafter, their names were revealed. It was disclosed that they were security officers of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and Kurunegala District Parliamentarian Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. It is now clear that a political hand is involved in this ordeal. If their aim was only to loot money, they would not posed themselves as that of the Ministerial Security Division. The Police firmly believe that their sole intention was to denigrate the Defence Secretary as well as the Government. |
 | Sripati Exposes Rajapakse Corruption - Part 1 Sripati Sooriyarachchi exposed the Rajapakse clan giving money to the LTTE. He did so by announcing it in parliament, saying that he has sufficient documentary evidence. This expose was made in the Parliament of Sri Lanka. |
 | in respect to our great war heros who paid the supreme sacrifice compilation of pictures packed into a video demonstrates the valor of the soldiers who made their greatest supreme sacrifice they could do to protect , safeguard and strengthen the their motherland and race. |
 | Tamil Eelam - Sinhala News - Aug-01-2008 Part 2 Tamil Eelam - Sinhala News - Aug-01-2008 |
 | 15th SAARC SUMMIT - COLOMBO SRI LANKA 2008 (ITN) The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) |
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