(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-09 14:15

COLOMBO - The Sri Lankan government has decided to change the venue for the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) summit from the central city of Kandy to the capital Colombo due to security and logistical factors, a leading English newspaper reported Sunday.

"Holding the summit in Colombo is easy in the light of available security. Moreover, it is difficult within a short time frame to effect improvements in the hill capital (of Kandy)," The Sunday Times quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Ravinatha Ariyasinha as saying.

The SAARC summit is scheduled to be held from July 27 to August 3 this year.

Leaders of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan are expected to attend the summit along with an estimated 3,000 persons, including officials, security personnel and journalists.

Ariyasinghe said another reason for shifting the venue was that Kandy did not have adequate hotel facilities for the heads of government or state, who would attend the summit.

The earlier plan was for the summit to be held at the International Buddhist Center in Kandy while cultural shows and other conferences were to be held at the Peradeniya University.

Government officials said although the main summit was being shifted to Colombo, the exhibition, cultural programs and youth programs connected to the SAARC summit would be held in Kandy as scheduled.