Colombo : Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said that the proposed South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Cultural Center to be set up in his country will be a great opportunity to enhance strong cultural links among the people of South Asia.
Sirisena made the remarks when SAARC Secretary General Arjun Bahadur Thapa called on him at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday to discuss the progress of the project to construct the cultural center in an 8-acre land in Matara, reports the Colombo Page.
Thapa informed Sirisena about the possibilities available for Sri Lanka to obtain financial assistance of USD 1 million for any project from the SAARC Development Fund.
The President said the he would advise his Foreign Affairs Ministry to present proposals to the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu.
Thapa said the Secretariat plans to launch publications on Buddhist Trail shortly and it would be followed by publications on religious worship trails of Hindu, Muslim and Christianity too. He also extended an invitation to the President to attend as the Chief Guest of the SAARC Health Ministers meeting to be held later this year. (ANI)