Sri Lanka President arrives in Bhutan for SAARC summit

 Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his delegation arrived at the Paro International Airport in Bhutan this morning to attend the 16th Summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The President was warmly received by the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Y. Thinley on his arrival. He was accorded a guard of honour by the Bhutanese military. People of Bhutan lined up in the streets waving flags to greet the President and his delegation.
President Rajapaksa is scheduled to hold talks with the Prime Minister of Bhutan this afternoon and will later make a visit to a folk museum in Thimphu.
President Rajapaksa was accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, parliamentarians Namal Rajapaksa and Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President, Lalith Weerathunge, and Attorney General Mohan Peiris.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) comprises eight nations in South Asia. This year (2010) marks the silver jubilee of SAARC. The capital city of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Thimphu hosts this year's summit.

(Pictures by Sudath Silva)