I wish to begin by congratulating His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his election as Chairperson of SAARC. I also convey my deep appreciation to the Government and people of Sri Lanka for the excellent arrangements made for the 15th Summit, and for the warm and generous hospitality that has been extended to all of us.

Terrorism featured prominently in the addresses of the SAARC leaders at the inauguration of the 15th SAARC Summit. They were united in condemnation of terrorism and warning of the threat it posed to development of the region. Here are their observations.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the opening session of the 15th SAARC Summit this morning (August 2) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, called on the South Asian leaders attending the summit to commit themselves and their countries to a more determined and concerted effort to collectively combat the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestation.

One cannot envisage a prosperous India without strong links with her neighbors, and the present SAARC Summit in Colombo provided an opportunity for such a partnership, said the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, in discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today.

The talks between the two leaders took place as part of the 15th SAARC Summit. Prior to the bilateral discussions the Indian Prime Minister and the Sri Lankan President had a one-to-one discussion.

The partnership of SAARC has grown in strength and importance over the years. It is one that, we trust, will take the South Asian Region to a position of strength and importance, with a singular voice and new approaches, to dealing with the many issues that confront both South Asia and the world at large, says President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message for the 15th SAARC Summit being held in Colombo

Thu, 2008-07-31 02:13 Toronto 31 July, (Asiantribune.com):

Mr. A. Amithalingam, the great Tamil leader and former opposition leader in Sri Lankan parliament, who was brutally murdered by LTTE, was remembered by the Tamil Community in Toronto. This commemoration meeting was organized by the Canadian Branch of the Tamil United Liberation Front, in Toronto, Canada on 27 July, where all Tamil political parties were in attendance. Mrs. Rajakulasuriyar lit the lamp and inaugurated the function. Mr. M. Nadarajah of TULF chaired the function.

“Bestow rewards without regard to customary rules, issue orders without regard to prescribed procedures” – Sun Tzu

Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 helicopter gun ships launched a close air support mission targeting LTTE defences in 1Km west of Wellankulam junction, Mannar front, today, July 31.

Colombo, 31 July, (Asiantribune.com):

Iran to expedite the implementations of all development projects it has undertaken in Sri Lanka. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President, assured that projects Iran has undertaken in Sri Lanka would be speedily concluded, as a manifestation of Iran's goodwill towards President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka. This assurance was given to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Rohitha Bogollagama, when he called on the Iranian President during his brief visit to Tehran to attend the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Conference (29th July 2008).