The 29th SAARC Charter day was held at Waters Edge Hotel last evening. Speaking at this function the chief guest, Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media & Information Dr. Charitha Herath said that soon after the founding of the SAARC Charter in 1985, it forged ahead to bring about many qualitative changes in the lives of many in the Members States. He said that, On the occasion of the celebration of the Charter Day, we take time to acknowledge our past achievements and to rededicate ourselves, in the words of historian and biographer, Walter Dyson-“to the noble purpose” for which our SAARC Community was founded, 28 years ago.It also founded 11 regional offices in different SAARC Capitals in South Asia offering platforms for the people of South Asia together in the spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. The SAARC Cultural Centre is one such regional office, focusing on bringing the people of SAARC together through the agenda of Culture. Regional cooperation under SAARC is seen as a complement to the bilateral and multilateral relations of Members States.
It is very heartening to learn that among the 11 regional Centres, SAARC Cultural Centre is doing extremely well in promoting the cultural activities of the region and strengthening the friendship and cooperation among them for the benefits of the people of South Asia. Their constant programmes, and research based studies and conferences has caught on fast in the region, and I understand that they are one of the most active regional centers of the SAARC. I am sure the SAARC Cultural Centre will continue to promote and further build on the good work that it has been doing thus far. As Secretary at the Ministry of Media and Broadcasting, culture is one tool that is able to speak to the general public without any barriers or obstacles, it can go beyond a country, it can speak volumes. In Culture, one holds a diplomacy tool that can heal the wounds of the past, and I am sure that the SAARC Cultural Centre will use this tool effectively to make a change in society.