Regional divisions apparent

[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 July 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Mr. Akram Lucky, special envoy of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Nawar Sherif, arrived in the capital Colombo today. He is expected meet the Sri Lankan President, Mrs Chandrika. Kumaratunge, tomorrow and hand over a letter from the Pakistani Prime Minister.

Mr. Lucky held a press conference in Colombo later today, but many journalists did not attend, said sources in Colombo, who added that journalists attached to the Indian media were not invited to the press conference.

Mr. Lucky said at the press conference that it is absolutely necessary to discus the defence situation in the region.

The SAARC conference to be held in Colombo at the end of July is expected to focus on tensions in the region following the recent nuclear tests by India and Pakistan.