Govt deplores UNP's attempt to disrupt SAARC

Uditha Kumarasinghe Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

Chief Government Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardene yesterday told Parliament that the Government has made arrangements to conduct the 15th SAARC Summit in Sri Lanka.

The Minister responding to a question raised by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, said the Government has the sole right to conduct the SAARC Summit.

"However, the UNP is attempting to disrupt the Summit to be held in Sri Lanka. This is not the duty of politicians who love their country," Gunawardene said.

The Minister said various criticisms were made by certain elements when late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike made arrangements to hold the Non-aligned Summit in Sri Lanka. Later those who criticised the international event understood the benefits gained by Sri Lanka as a result of the non-aligned Summit, he said.

"Therefore it is the Government's responsibility to hold the 15th SAARC Summit in Sri Lanka," the Minister added.