Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona, detailing the arrangements and expectations for this year's SAARC summit in Colombo, said that SAARC leaders were planning to formulate common positions on the energy crisis, climate change, development, and the eradication of poverty.

"Leaders will also explore ways of expanding cooperation to eliminate this scourge of terrorism that has affected all the countries of South Asia," he said in an interview with a foreign media agency. 

Dr. Kohona added that security arrangements were in place and that this was essentially the responsibility of Sri Lanka. 

"SAARC summit arrangements are proceeding well. Security arrangements are in place. On the 27th and 28th, SAARC officials will meet, followed by the Standing Committee meeting on 29th and 30th July. As Foreign Secretary, I will be chairing that meeting. On 31st July and 1st August, the Ministerial level event will be held. Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister will preside there.  Finally, on 2nd and 3rd August, the Summit itself will take place with the leaders of the eight SAARC member countries," Asiantribune reported Dr. Kohona as saying. 

The Foreign Secretary said that the Government had not put forward any resolutions or proposals for the forthcoming SAARC summit, adding that leaders of the eight member countries will sit together and formulate common positions.

(Courtesy : Department of Information )