Celebrating the 34th SAARC Charter Day in Colombo

 By Aysha Maryam Cassim

On 8 December in 1985 at the first SAARC Summit held in Dhaka, the leaders of the Seven South Asian Countries: Maldives, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka signed a contract in order to establish the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). 

Every year, on this day, SAARC Charter Day is observed marking the signing of this Charter. Special commemorative events are held in each member state, reaffirming their strong commitment towards SAARC in supporting the upliftment of the lives of millions in South Asia.

SAARC Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka commemorated the 34th Charter Day at the Hilton Colombo Residences on 8 December 2018. The occasion brought together dignitaries, Government officials, resident ambassadors, civil society representatives, business community and media personnel. 

The reception also saw the presence of winners of SAARC Art competition who were awarded and commended for their outstanding achievements. On the occasion, SAARC Cultural Centre Director D.K.R. Ekanayake presented the awards to the winners in recognition of the promising young talents in the country.SAARC Secretary General Amjad Hussain conveying his wishes in a message stated: “As we observe the 34th Charter Day, I warmly felicitate the member states, I wish to express the confidence that our sustained endeavours will culminate in the attainment of the objectives enshrined in the SAARC Charter of SAARC.”

Addressing the gathering present on the occasion, Chief Guest Ministry of Culture Secretary Darshana Senanayake said that the activities implemented by the SAARC Cultural Centre in performing arts, visual and fine arts, archaeology, literature, and poetry, etc. would make a great contribution to map and promote the cultural landscape of our country and broadly, the region.As an organisation in one of the fastest growing economic regions of the world, SAARC embodies the desire of the people and governments of South Asia to work collectively to promote peace, stability, amity and progress in the region through strict adherence to the principles of sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity. 

To mark the day, President Maithripala Sirisena issued a special message, vouching for his unwavering support to the SAARC process: “While retaining Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving SAARC objectives, I remain convinced that SAARC family of nations has the potential to reach its developmental goals and economic progress through heightened regional cooperation and integration in an atmosphere of brotherhood and amity.”

Over the years, SAARC Cultural Centres of member states have made commendable strides in placing the mechanism for greater cooperation and regional integration. The SAARC Cultural Centre in Colombo with the support of the member states and the SAARC Secretariat will continue to act as a platform for intercultural understanding and respect for cultural diversity in the South Asian region.