SCO grants Sri Lanka 'dialogue partner' status

Granting Sri Lanka the status of a 'dialogue partner', the SCO today hailed the end of 'internal armed conflict' there, even as it hoped that all the ethnic groups will be given equal rights for a lasting peace in the country.

"Sri Lanka and Belarus have been granted the status of SCO dialogue partner," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said at the end of two-day summit of the regional grouping.

In their joint statement the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have welcomed the end of 'internal armed conflict' in Sri Lanka.

They expressed hope that on the foundation of the sovereignty of the state, territorial integrity and 'guaranteed rights of all the ethnic and religious groups' a lasting peace, security and stability would be restored in the country.