SL Foreign Minister meets General Musharaff re: Buddha statues in Afghanistan
[12 Mar 2001]

Foreign Affairs Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan met the Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharaff last Friday, a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Minister Kadirgamar also held talks with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Pakistan and expressed the concern of the Government and the People of Sri Lanka at the decision of the Afghan government to demolish the historic relics of the Buddhist civilisation.  The Pakistan Minister had stated that Pakistan was in favour of international efforts to save the statues.

He has also informed the Chief Executive of Pakistan of the decision of the Sri Lankan President to send Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake to continue the exchange of views on bilateral relations and regional issues.  Mr. Wickramanayake is due to visit Islamabad on March 14.  

Meanwhile, a mass protest by 100,000 people belonging to various religions including 5,000 Buddhist Priests is due to take place in Colombo today, to protest against Taliban’s destruction of the Buddha statues.

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