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War is the worst enemy of human rights - Karzai
Mar 06, 201409:32 PM
President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai today hailed his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa for achieving peace in the country after decades long civil war against LTTE rebels.
“No matter how the world community puts it, we know that peace in a country is the best guarantor of human rights,” Karzai was quoted as saying to Rajapaksa by the Presidential Media Unit.
“War is the worst enemy of human rights. Peace is the vehicle for human growth and prosperity. We have seen that in Sri Lanka and we congratulate you.”
“Our two countries are bound by a common cultural heritage, strong friendship and mutual understanding on a range of issues,” President Rajapaksa said. “Your present visit will immensely contribute to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between our two countries.”
Acknowledging the challenges Afghanistan is currently facing, President Rajapaksa praised President Karzai’s leadership.
“I admire your dynamic leadership of Afghanistan at this critical juncture in your country’s history,” President Rajapaksa said. “I particularly commend your efforts to establish a durable peace in Afghanistan. I am confident that the Afghan people would meet the on-going challenges successfully, and I wish for the peaceful conclusion of the coming presidential elections.”
Karzai, who arrived here yesterday on a 3-day visit, held bilateral talks with Rajapaksa and the two leaders joined their delegations for extended talks at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Karzai last month cancelled his visit to Sri Lanka after Taliban killed 20 soldiers.
Five senior ministers were accompanying the Afghan leader, who is on his third visit to Sri Lanka.
