<b>Sri Lanka praises Musharraf for his help in fighting terrorism </b>

SHIMALI SENANAYAKE, Associated Press Writer

Colombo, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Wednesday praised Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf for his support in fighting Tamil Tiger rebels and combatting global terrorism.

Musharraf arrived in Colombo on Wednesday amid tight security, with anti-terrorist commandos on alert and police ordering traffic off the roads.

"Pakistan has consistently supported Sri Lanka ... on matters related to our ethnic conflict," Kumaratunga said at a state banquet hosted by her.

"We know this support derives from Pakistan's genuine desire, based on decades of close, neighborly relations, to see peace...return to our country," Kumaratunga said.

Musharraf's decision to supply the Sri Lankan government with much-needed weapons in May 2000 helped the army to beat back a rebel drive to retake their former capital of Jaffna, which could have turned the tide of the war.

Kumaratunga made no direct reference to Pakistan's arms supplies in her speech but commended Musharraf's stand against global terrorism. "

As a country that has suffered much from terrorism and sectarianism in the past, we hope very much that the burdens you have borne and still carry will soon be lifted," she said.

Musharraf and his 17-member delegation arrived to a 21-gun salute and a welcome by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and other dignitaries.

"His visit is very significant at this time," Wickremesinghe told The Associated Press, shortly before paying a courtesy call on Musharraf at the Hilton hotel in Colombo. Wickremesinghe will meet with Musharraf on Thursday for detailed talks on bilateral issues.

The overnight visit will focus on trade, as Sri Lanka and Pakistan try to complete details of a free-trade agreement that could be the first step toward a South Asian trading block.

"We are on the threshold of a landmark free trade agreement between our two countries which will open a new chapter of potential cooperation for mutual benefit," Kumaratunga said.

With the cease-fire in effect between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam, there was no overt threat to Musharraf, although more than 1,000 police officers lined the route of Musharraf's motorcade and anti-terrorist forces were deployed at the airport.

Asked if his government would discuss the possible supply of Pakistani arms, Tyronne Fernando, foreign minister said: "At the moment we are on the road to peace ... we will decide, if such a situation arises."

-Yahoo News -