SAARC success: President thanks all

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday thanked all who contributed to the successful conclusion of the 15th SAARC Summit in Colombo.

The President in a message said: “I am aware that arrangements for the SAARC Summit involved the participation of many Government agencies and of the private sector institutions and individuals, who shared their skills and expertise in the organising of events and activities directly related to the Summit and the co-events of SAARC.

A special word of thanks is due to all members of the Sri Lanka Police and the Armed Services for the excellent security arrangements made which from the outset gave the confidence to all that the safety of the visiting Heads of State and Government and other delegates, our own national leaders, and the general public will be ensured.

The services of those from every rank in the many branches of State administration, who contributed in myriad ways towards the smooth planning and conduct of the Summit, deserve special recognition for the manner in which they showed the administrative capability of the country.

My thanks are also due to all sections of the media for the extensive coverage they gave to the preparations for the Summit and its proceedings.

The public deserves special thanks for the manner in which they bore some of the inevitable inconveniences and cooperated in the implementing of special traffic arrangements, security checks and other moves that were necessary to ensure the success of the Summit.

It is my view that in all, the selfless contributions made by all these sections and numerous other institutions and individuals too, have helped immensely in doing Sri Lanka proud in the eyes of the world, for which my Government and remain grateful.”