militancy-a-regional-and-international-challenge-sri-lankan-president

Militancy a regional and international challenge: Sri Lankan President

Kathmandu, Nov 26 (ANI): Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Wednesday that he is looking forward to a continued engagement of the SAARC nations as militancy still poses a threat, both regional and internationally. Rajapaksa was delivering a speech at the two-day South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Nepal's capital Kathmandu. He added the south Asian region should work collectively to ensure sanitation, clean water, and human development. The Sri Lankan President also said this year's SAARC summit should discuss global climate change and how to generate alternative methods of energy production. Rajapaksa also called for close coordination of the SAARC countries in electricity sector and empowering youth. He added that south Asian countries are known for its intellectual and cultural heritage. Rajapaksa said he feels inspired to come to Nepal where the birthplace of Lord Buddha is situated. Buddha was born in Shakya, kingdom of Kapilvastu at around which lies in present day Rupandehi district, Lumbini zone of Nepal. Nov 26, 2014