High Commissioner of Pakistan Maj. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 25 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
A detailed discussion was held regarding bilateral areas of cooperation and interest between the two countries, including economic cooperation, trade, educational cooperation and sports diplomacy, with a special focus on promoting cultural heritage and religious tourism between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The High Commissioner apprised the Prime Minister regarding the various initiatives undertaken by the Government of Pakistan to promote religious tourism, especially the recent high-level visit of the Most Ven. Buddhist Monks visit and the production of a documentary in collaboration with a Sri Lankan film producer to highlight the grandeur of Gandhara heritage in Pakistan. The Prime Minister was also briefed regarding the higher education opportunities available to Sri Lankan students under the recently announced round of Allama Iqbal Scholarships, offered by the Government of Pakistan across all fields of study.
The High Commissioner emphasised the importance of enhanced collaboration between the two brotherly countries to uplift the people. He said that Pakistan is committed to providing continued support to Sri Lanka. Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, with special focus on promoting religious tourism and to enhance people-to-people contact.
Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Deputy High Commissioner Tanvir Ahmad, Ven. Agrahera Kassapa Thera and Film and Documentary Director Koushalya Wickramasinghe were present.
