SRI Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday reaffirmed his country’s enduring friendship with Pakistan and expressed gratitude for the latter’s support during challenging times.
After a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Choudhary Salik in Colombo, he noted with delight that the delegation conveyed special thanks from Pakistan’s president and prime minister for Sri Lanka’s timely intervention, which helped resolve the situation regarding Pakistan’s participation in the T-20 tournament.
The sentiments expressed by the Sri Lankan President are reflective of growing warmth in relations between the two countries, which are based on sovereign equality and mutual respect. This aspect was highlighted when Pakistan responded positively to the proposition of Colombo that Islamabad should review its decision not to play against India in the T-20 World Cup. This was in consideration of strong bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which stood firmly with one another during difficult times like the civil war in Sri Lanka that threatened its very survival. The leadership of the two countries is committed to strengthen and diversify these ties through enhanced collaboration in economy, security, counter-terrorism and cultural fields. It is rightly observed that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have enjoyed a conflict-free and relatively stable relationship but there is definitely much scope to broaden economic partnership and grow their combined political power in South Asia.
