Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom welcomes the President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the Eighth General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Colombo yesterday morning. (Pix by Sudath Silva)

“We see how external forces under the guise of democracy and other enticing slogans seek to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. They show little concern about destabilizing nations. They encourage domestic disharmony and we now see how the media including social media being used by the forces that are continuing the cause of division, separation and terror,” he said addressing the 8th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

The 8th general assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) began yesterday (19th September) at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre this morning with the participation of representatives from political parties throughout Asia.

The four- day conference from September 18- 21 will be held under the theme "Building an Asian Community".

Approximately 100 different political parties from throughout Asia will participate in the conference with the attendance of 189 representatives from 32 countries in Asia.

Sri Lanka President in his address said this is the most timely occasion to remind the world of what we have earlier said that all terrorists are the same, they are all brutal, they all carry out acts of savagery, and they all are ready to massacre innocent people.

“As we seek to harvest the fruits of economic growth in this Asian Century we have also to look at unity in facing up to other issues of importance that are important to build peace and stability in Asia,” he said

The ICAPP, launched in Manila Philippines in 2000, brings together competing governing, opposition and independent political parties in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Middle East and Oceania.

The conference inter alia aims to promote exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different countries in the area and with various ideologies in order to enhance mutual understanding and trust among Asian countries.

After the inauguration of this Conference President Rajapaksa was appointed as the Chairperson of the ICAPP for next 2 years.

After being appointed as the Chairperson of the Conference, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his address referred to Sri Lanka’s success in elimination of terrorism, the President said, “Sri Lanka can stand out in this great gathering for our experience in battling and defeating terrorism against the efforts of many external forces outside Asia that sought to bring about an accommodation of terrorism in our land. We are always ready to share that experience with the world. Your presence here and what you will see in this country today are the fruits of that great success in protecting our State and our Nation, from the forces of terror.”

Source: http://asiantribune.com/node/85444