Addressing a gathering of those involved in South Asian studies at the Columbia University last month, Foreign Minister Laksh-man Kadirgamar said that Sri Lanka, as current chairman of SAARC, would invest a great deal of intellectual capital and energy in consolidating the achievements of the association over the years, implementing the economic and social programme approved by the Colombo summit and ensuring that tangible benefits that would improve socio-economic conditions would accrue to the region.

He said that SAARC had played a pioneering role in overcoming the ambiguities of defining terrorism. As early as 1987 it had evolved a "convention on the suppression of terrorism" almost a decade before the UN convention on the suppression of terrorist bombings materialised.

On the SAARC social charter that is now being evolved, Minister Kadirgamar said the concept paper which was being prepared would have to be studied to decide whether the charter would provide some mechanism for enforcement.

He observed that in recent times SAARC had become more outward looking. He saw it as the beginning of a long process which would strengthen the bargaining powers of developing countries in South and South East Asia.

Minister Kadir-gamar said SAARC was not well known in the United States, "but believe me," he said, "you are going to hear more about it in the coming months and years. After all, we are an organisation with a population of 1.2 billion, and that is a quarter of humanity."

In fact Dr. Jayawardena has organised several free Medical Camps in North East and he is a frequent visitor to refugee camps in these areas. I am made to understand that the Tamil refugees in uncleared areas are undergoing severe hardships due to lack of water.

Dr. Jayawardena should be given an opportunity to go and see the progress of development works sponsored by him as a Member of Parliament. I, as a Member of Parliament from the Wanni District and Co-Chairman of Wanni Electoral Development Committee sincerely request you to grant permission to Dr. Jayawardena to go to Madhu. The reconstruction of Madhu Kovil tank will benefit more than 30,000 refugees living in Madhu area.

On behalf of the people of Wanni I request you to provide whatever the assistance and facilities to Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena to render humanitarian assistance to the people of North East, who are suffering very badly due to the on-going war."