COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, July 27, SPA -- Sri Lanka sealed off roads anddeployed 19,000 soldiers and police in the capital Sundayto prepare for a summit of South Asian leaders, the Associated Press reported. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the summit,which is to address a food and energy crisis and otherissues, would play an important role for regionalcooperation. «This is the largest ever SAARC summit to be held,» hetold reporters Saturday, adding that «security must be theultimate.» The summit began with low-level meetings Sunday andforeign ministers are to arrive later in the week. Theheads of state hold their two-day meetings starting nextSaturday. The regional body _ set up in 1985 to promote economiccooperation _ consists of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka,Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives. Around 12,000 police and 7,000 troops have been deployedin Colombo to provide summit security, Nanayakkara said. During the meetings, several main roads in Colombo will besealed, while trains will not be allowed to run through theheart of the capital. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/577223