Islamabad : Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan, Admiral (R) Ravindra C Wijegunaratne, emphasized Sri Lanka’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Pakistan in various sectors, including trade, investment, defense, tourism, education, and fostering people-to-people connections. He made these remarks during a seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad.
Reflecting on the deep historical ties between the two nations, Admiral Wijegunaratne highlighted their mutual support during challenging times. He specifically thanked Pakistan for its assistance in combating terrorism in Sri Lanka and expressed optimism for sustained mutual support on regional and global issues.
The High Commissioner pointed out Sri Lanka’s strategic importance as an international shipping hub and identified potential areas for enhanced cooperation through the effective implementation of the existing free trade agreement. He also emphasized promoting tourism between the two countries, particularly to Pakistan’s Buddhist sites, and noted the significance of the upcoming Seventh Round of Bilateral Political Consultations.
IRS President, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, appreciated Sri Lanka’s donation of eye corneas, which underscores the profound relationship between the two nations. He also highlighted the enduring multifaceted friendship, marked by mutual support during both peace and conflict, and expressed confidence that the upcoming consultations would enhance trade and investment cooperation.
Former Pakistani High Commissioners to Sri Lanka, Amb. Seema Ilahi Baloch and Major Gen (r) Saad Khattak, underscored the importance of strengthening people-to-people connections and learning from Sri Lanka’s expertise in tourism and hospitality. They also stressed the need to expand collaboration beyond strategic and security areas.
Dr. Shaheen Akhtar from NDU and Mr. Ilyas Mehmood Nizami from MoFA highlighted the high level of trust and goodwill between the two countries. They called for maximizing cooperation in various fields, including trade, education, religious tourism, and defense. The seminar attracted a diverse audience, including diplomats, researchers, academics, and students, demonstrating broad interest in the future of Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations.
