Sri Lanka deploys 12,000 additional police for South Asian meet

Sri Lanka says it is deploying 12 thousand more police to guard South Asian leaders who will be in Colombo for a regional summit next week.

Soldiers will also be deployed in strength ahead of the two-day South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit starting August 2.

Police deputy Inspector General Nimal Mediwaka says the heads of state will also have their own security personnel to provide close protection.

India is sending war ships to anchor off Sri Lanka's coast to evacuate its delegates in case of any closure of the island's only international airport.

The rebel Tamil Tigers have announced a unilateral truce for the duration of the summit.

The summit will be attended by leaders of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.