Sri Lanka will host the next International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) from September 18 to 21 with the opening ceremony scheduled to take place on Sept. 19, Presidential Spokesman said today.

The arrangements were ironed out at a meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and ICAPP Standing Committee Secretary General Chung Eui-yong, Temple Trees today.

As the host country, Sri Lanka has selected “Building an Asian Community.” as the main theme of the conference. The invitation to host this year’s ICAPP was made in July last year.

“ICAPP members are very enthusiastic about the possibility of Sri Lanka hosting the conference,” Mr. Eui-yong is reported to have told the President at the meeting. About 100 political parties from Asia are likely to attend the high-level conference.

President Rajapaksa addressed a special ICAPP conference in Shaanxi Province during his state visit to China in May last year.

The focus at this year’s ICAPP meeting will be on the need to strengthen the relations among Asian nations.