Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said on Tuesday that Pakistan has been a trusted partner of Sri Lanka and has been supportive in times of need.
Minister Aluthgamage was speaking at a reception hosted by High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (R) Muhammad Saad Khattak to mark his country’s National Day at the Kingsbury Hotel, on Wednesday. The Minister was the Chief Guest at the ceremony.
Aluthgamage recalled the robust relations between the two countries and said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations which are broad-based and multifaceted.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, Parliamentarians Rauf Hakeem, Rishad Bathuideen, Ali Sabry Raheem and S.M.M. Mushzaraaf and members of the Diplomatic Corps, including Pakistan Honorary Consul Afzal Marikar and well wishers were present.
High Commissioner of Pakistan Saad Khattak in his welcome address elaborated that the foundation of strong brotherhood between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was laid in 1948 when the former Prime Minister of then “Ceylon” D. S. Senenayake visited Pakistan. He said the relationship between the two peoples has existed for over two thousand years. These relations are further cemented by the commonality of eternal values of universal peace and love, espoused both by Buddhism and Islam.
While talking about the region’s security situation, the High Commissioner explained that, despite provocation, Pakistan has demonstrated prudence and extreme restraint as a responsible state. He also said that Pakistan supports peaceful resolution of all bilateral and regional disputes through meaningful negotiations and mediation. He also appreciated Government of Sri Lanka’s support for promotion of peace and harmony in South Asia.
High Commissioner Khattak announced that the Government of Pakistan, through its High Commission, will be awarding 1,000 scholarships to Sri Lankan students in diverse fields. He added that modalities are being discussed with concerned authorities to establish a world-class high-tech university in Sri Lanka under the auspices of COMSATS. The High Commissioner hoisted his country’s national flag to mark the commencement of the celebrations in the presence of Sri Lankan well-wishers and Pakistani expatriates at the mission premises.
