Sri Lanka and Pakistan to Expand Cooperation in Trade, Tourism, and Defense

Islamabad - 26 July 2024 (Adnan Hameed): The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan, Admiral (R) Ravindra C Wijegunaratne, expressed Sri Lanka's deep appreciation for Pakistan's continued support, especially in challenging times during a seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad. High Commissioner Ravindra highlighted the historical ties and unwavering support between the two nations, particularly noting Pakistan's crucial assistance in addressing terrorism in Sri Lanka. He stressed Sri Lanka's strong commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan across various sectors, including trade, investment, defense, tourism, education, and fostering closer people-to-people contacts. Reflecting on Sri Lanka's strategic importance as an international shipping hub, Admiral Wijegunaratne identified numerous untapped areas for potential cooperation. He emphasized the need for effective implementation of the existing free trade agreement to leverage these opportunities. Additionally, he expressed a desire to enhance tourism between the two countries, given the significant Buddhist sites in Pakistan. The High Commissioner also underscored the importance of the upcoming Seventh Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, viewing it as a crucial step toward strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional and global issues of shared interest. In his remarks, President IRS, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, appreciated Sri Lanka's generous donation of 88,000 eye corneas to the world, including 36,000 to Pakistan, as a testament to the depth of the relationship between the two nations. He highlighted the longstanding, multifaceted friendship marked by unconditional support during both peace and conflict. Ambassador Saleem echoed Admiral Wijegunaratne's sentiments regarding the upcoming foreign secretary-level consultations, expressing confidence that they would pave the way for enhanced cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Seema Ilahi Baloch, emphasized the need to strengthen people-to-people connections and to draw insights from Sri Lanka's expertise in tourism and hospitality. Major General (R) Saad Khattak, another former High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, stressed the importance of expanding collaboration beyond strategic and security areas. Dr. Shaheen Akhtar, professor at NDU, highlighted the high level of trust and cordiality that has existed between the two countries since independence. Mr. Ilyas Mehmood Nizami, Director General for South Asia at MoFA, called for leveraging the strong bilateral goodwill and understanding to maximize cooperation in trade, education, religious tourism, defense, and counterterrorism. The seminar attracted a diverse audience, including diplomats, researchers, academics, and students, reflecting the broad interest in the enduring and evolving relationship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.