All the eight South Asian leaders who attended the Thimphu SAARC Summit lauded President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his astute and enlightened leadership. They praised his role in elimination the threat of terrorism in Sri Lanka.
The SAARC leaders were unanimous in their praise of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s invaluable leadership of the South Asian association since 2008.
President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan lauded the Sri Lanka’s tenure as SAARC Chairman. “Allow Mr Chairman, to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa for his astute and enlightened leadership of our Association since 2008,” he said in his address to the 16th Summit.
Bangladesh Premier Sheik Hasina placed on record President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “Invaluable contribution towards realisation of SAAARC goals during his stewardship of the Association”.Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the progress achieved by Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in totally eradicating terrorism and restoring lasting peace was an example to both South Asian countries and the international community.
South Asian nations stood steadfastly behind Sri Lanka in assisting its humanitarian operation to liberate the country from LTTE terrorism.
The South Asian leaders, during bilateral meetings with President Rajapaksa, expressed their appreciation of the convincing election victory achieved by the President and his government at both Presidential and general elections.
On his part, President Rajapaksa said his government would give priority towards strengthening political and economic ties with neighbouring States. He hoped to form a Pakistan-Sri Lanka and Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Commission to pursue this policy.
President Rajapaksa also held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, Butan Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley and Nepali Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.
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