KATHMANDU, June 13: Secretary General of SAARC, Golam Sarwar, paid a courtesy call on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President Secretariat in Colombo on Wednesday. 

As part of his ongoing visit to the member states, the Secretary General is currently on an introductory consultations visit to Sri Lanka. 

President Wickremesinghe congratulated Sarwar on taking charge as the 15th Secretary General of SAARC. 

Secretary General Sarwar expressed appreciation for Sri Lanka's persistent support to the SAARC process since its establishment in December 1985. Furthermore, he conveyed confidence in receiving continued support and guidance from Sri Lanka to further strengthen the SAARC process. 

The Secretary General apprised the President about the current activities of SAARC and its challenges and sought Sri Lanka’s support in re-energising the SAARC process. 

In the briefing on the recent development of holding the Governing Board Meetings of all SAARC Regional Centers and Specialized Bodies, Secretary General Sarwar expressed hope to convene higher level meetings of the Chartered Bodies in consultations with the SAARC Chair Nepal at the earliest possible. 

President Wickremesinghe appreciated the initiatives of SAARC Secretary General and requested him to consider taking further steps to revitalize the SAARC process given the prevailing situation emphasizing that SAARC embodies the hopes and aspirations of its peoples and countries in the region for prosperity. 

Upon request, the President of Sri Lanka agreed to allocate a permanent venue to the SAARC Cultural Center in Colombo that aligns with the provisions outlined in the Headquarters Agreement between the Center and Sri Lanka, noted a press release issued by the SAARC Secretariat. 

President Wickremesinghe reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to SAARC and to extend every possible support to materialize the goals of SAARC to achieve a sustainable and integrated development in the region.