Ramon Magsaysay Award Presentation Ceremonies

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has thanked all those who contributed to the successful conclusion of the 15th SAARC Summit which helped immensely in doing Sri Lanka proud in the eyes of the world.

The leaders of the SAARC countries attended the concluding session of the 15th SAARC Summit, which held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) today (03rd August). At the end of the session all leaders endorsed the Colombo Declaration of the fifteenth SAARC Summit, which focused on combating terrorism, energy, environment, water resources, poverty alleviation energy, transport, science and technology and education.

Police sleuths of Colombo Crime Division (CCD) inquiring into a complaint lodged by a restaurant owner have identified 4 suspects who may be involved with controversial "White Van" incidents. According to the police sources the suspects include two police personnel of Ministerial Security Division (MSD) and two civilians having close connections with the opposition party politicians. Police further suspect a possible politically backed conspiracy in this incident to bring discredit to the present secretary of defence.

by: Norman Palihawadane,

MSD personnle assinged to Ranil and Akila arrested for attempted abduction and robbery

The Colombo Crime Division on Saturday arrested two Ministerial Security Division personnel assigned to Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and UNP MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam for having extorted money from civilians and tried to carry out abductions by claiming to be Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s security officers.

I believe that as the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo draws to a close, all of us who have participated in the deliberations can draw satisfaction from a most productive and fruitful outcome.

In the final analysis, all regional cooperation efforts including in South Asia, have as their objective, prosperity and equitable development. Our deliberations have therefore had a strong focus, on economic and commercial cooperation.

Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am truly delighted to be here in this charming city of Colombo for the 15 SAARC Summit. I congratulate President Rajapaksa on his election to the Chair. I am confident that his experience and wisdom will enable us to surmount the challenges that we in SAARC are facing today.

The Indian Prime Minister and the leader of the 14^th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit, is here in Sri Lanka to participate in the 15^th SAARC summit being held in Colombo on August 2, 2008 under the theme “Partnership for our People”.

The EPDP Secretary General, Chairman of the Northern Special Task Committee and Social Services and Social Welfare Minister met Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh yesterday August 1, 2008 in Colombo.

Your Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa
Your Excellencies the Heads of State and Government of SAARC
Your Excellencies the Representatives from the Observer States
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed a privilege for me to be here in the historic city of Colombo to participate in the 15th SAARC Summit. On behalf of the Nepalese delegation and on my own, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Government and the people of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for the warm reception and cordial hospitality.