Lanka compelled to look at other options because of SAARC's failure: Wickremesinghe

Colombo [Sri Lanka], Oct. 4 (ANI): Asserting that failure of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to deliver acceptable results for all members would spell out a bleak future for the organisation, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that this move would compel his country to look out for other viable options. Wickremesinghe made the remarks while delivering a lecture titled "Sri Lanka and its Place in the World" at the Main Hall of the New Zealand Parliament House on Monday, reports Colombo Page. The 19th SAARC summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November was suspended after five of the eight nations, including Sri Lanka, pulled out from the Summit. Nepal earlier on Sunday announced it regrets the postponement of the Summit citing that the present environment was not conducive. Wickremesinghe during the meet recalled the SAARC Summit of 1985, when Sri Lanka had proposed to counter border terrorism. However, it was ultimately not agreed upon due to disagreements among the parties. "This year's SAARC Summit is in jeopardy due to the war prevailing on the border. However, as the SAARC plays an important role, carrying out the Summit is a matter of great importance," he added. (ANI)