Sri Lankan president to hold talks with world leaders at UN

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga will hold bilateral talks with world leaders including those from Pakistan and Japan during her visit to the United Nations in New York next week, the official Daily News said on Wednesday.

President Kumaratunga will meet her Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during her stay in New York.

The one-to-one talks between Kumaratunga and the leaders of these countries will highlight on the Norwegian-brokered peace process in the country and issues concerning economy, trade and regional cooperation will also be discussed.

Kumaratunga will also hold bilateral talks with Chilean President Ricado Lagos Escobar on Sept. 21 which is followed by her attendance of a reception hosted by US President George W. Bush and the first lady.

She is among the first few speakers to address the UN general assembly on the opening day, her fourth address to the assembly since her first speech in October 1995 at its 50th anniversary.

Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and Industry, Tourism and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranaike will accompany the president to New York.