President Maithripala Sirisena promises support for Pakistan's bid to host next SAARC summit

President Maithripala Sirisena has promised to support Pakistan's bid to host the next South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit, a statement said.

According to the government news portal President Sirisena said that Sri Lanka would extend support to Pakistan to hold the next Summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). In a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, President Sirisena said that the trade body must be strengthened in order to enhance regional cooperation. and said it was important to strengthen SAARC to ensure regional cooperation.

Last year, the Saarc summit was scheduled to be held in Pakistan, however, it had to be cancelled after India refused to attend the meeting.

Janjua is in Colombo along with a Pakistani delegation to hold the fifth round of bilateral political consultations with Sri Lanka. She  also launched the Pakistan Alumni Society of Sri Lanka during her stay.