Colombo  - Foreign ministers of eight South Asian nations are set to open a regional meeting Thursday where common issues including trade, transport, environment and poverty are to be discussed.

The meeting takes place ahead of a meeting of the eight countries' heads of state over the weekend during the 15th summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC) in Colombo.

A tight security cover has been imposed in Colombo despite a unilateral cease-fire declared by Tamil rebels from July 26 to August 4. The government has rejected the truce and poured in 20,000 police and other security personnel to protect the city.

Official-level meetings of representatives of the eight nations - India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan - have been taking place in Colombo since Sunday.

The crucial meetings during the summit between foreign ministers and heads of state provide the opportunity for the discussion of bilateral issues, though bilateral political issues cannot be taken up at the main forum.

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee is due to meet his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi during the next two days, while Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to meet his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the summit.

Similar meetings are due to take place during the summit between other nations.

Sri Lanka is spending 2.8 billion rupees (26 million dollars) to host the summit amidst questions by the opposition about the benefits of the gathering to the public.

"We need to have concrete results from the summit and not just statements," said opposition United National Party member of parliament Lakshman Kiriella.

The bulk of the money was spent for providing security to the visiting delegations.

The Afghan president and the Indian prime minister have drawn the highest security attention.

Colombo has declared new high security zones and announced closure of roads to ensure security to the visiting heads of state and other delegates.

The heads of state open the summit on Saturday and on Sunday the closing ceremony will be held. (dpa)