President holds bilateral talks with Nepal and Afghanistan leaders :

Call for combined efforts to fight terrorism

*Committee to oversee renovation of Buddhist landmarks
*Opportunity for Afghan students to study in Sri Lanka
*Recommencement of flights between Sri Lanka and Nepal

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, during bilateral talks yesterday on the sidelines of the 17th SAARC summit in Maldives, stressed the need for a combined effort to face the challenge of terrorism in the South Asian region.

The Afghan President commended President Rajapaksa for his success in defeating terrorism.

The talks were held at the Shangri-la hotel in the atoll of Villingili.

President Karzai commended the strides made by Sri Lanka in the sphere of education and discussed with President Rajapaksa on the possibility of affording students of Afghanistan an opportunity to follow higher education courses in Sri Lanka, especially in the fields of medicine, engineering, architecture, science and technology, construction and surveying. President Rajapaksa informed his Afghan counterpart of the advances made in many sectors following the defeat of terrorism. They also discussed ways of improving links between Colombo and Kabul in various fields.

During bilateral talks between President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister of Nepal Baburam Bhattarai, it was agreed to set up a committee representing both countries to oversee the reconstruction of Buddhist landmarks and to expedite their restoration work. The recommencement of flights between Sri Lanka and Nepal too featured in the discussion with the Nepalese Prime Minister who pointed out that a visit would be made by his Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka in February next year for further discussions in this regard.

Prime Minister Bhattarai also explained the prevailing power crisis in Nepal and discussed ways in which Sri Lanka could be of assistance to alleviate the situation.

President Rajapaksa also explained the need for a joint programme by SAARC members towards working for the welfare and development of the South Asian community.

Present at the discussions were Ministers Prof. G. L. Peiris and Champika Ranawaka, MPs Sajin Vas Gunawardena and A. H. M. Azwer, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Maldives Dickson Dela Bandara.