President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the visit of Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, along with the arrival of the Pakistan national cricket team, further strengthens the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The President made these remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (16), where he received a delegation that included Minister Naqvi and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain.
President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for facilitating and encouraging the cricket team’s participation in the T20 World Cup match against India. He also appreciated Pakistan’s continued support to Sri Lanka during challenging times, including assistance following Cyclone Ditwah.
Minister Naqvi noted that the decision to participate followed a telephone conversation between President Dissanayake and the Pakistani Prime Minister. He thanked the Sri Lankan government and people for their warm hospitality.
The delegation reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, highlighting potential cooperation in investment, labour markets, and tourism. They also expressed hope for broader discussions in the future.
Senior officials from both countries attended the meeting, including Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, as well as Pakistan’s High Commissioner Mag. Gen. (R) Faheem Ul Aziz and Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Operating Officer Pakistan Cricket Board official Sumair Ahmad Syed.
