From Our Correspondent
COLOMBO: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo on Monday.
At the meeting, according to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal, the two discussed the deepening and further strengthening of bilateral ties.
“Very positive interaction. Deepening and further strengthening of bilateral relations discussed. Political will on both sides to take the relationship to the next level. A phenomenal day for Pakistan – Sri Lanka relations,” he tweeted.
Earlier today, FM Qureshi, who is in Colombo on a two-day official visit, called on newly elected President of Sri Lanka GotabayaRajapaksa and discussed bilateral relations, regional situation and matters of mutual interest.
On behalf of Pakistani leadership and nation, the foreign minister felicitated GotabayaRajapaksa on his election as the seventh President of Sri Lanka.
Shah MahmoodQureshi also handed over a letter of President ArifAlvi to the Srilankan President inviting him to visit Pakistan. He expressed the confidence that under the leadership of GotabayaRajapaksa, Pakistan-Sri lanka relations will gain further strength. He also appreciated the Srilankan people for valiantly fighting the scourge of terrorism.
The Srilankan president thanked the Pakistani leadership for extending him felicitation on his election and inviting him to visit Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi met with his newly appointed Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo on Monday. The two discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.
During the meeting, Qureshi stated that both countries have extended support to the other on regional as well as international matters. The minister invited Gunawardena to visit Pakistan with a delegation from the Sri Lankan business community to boost bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
Qureshi also briefed Gunawardena about the human rights crisis in occupied Kashmir. Both countries agreed to continue consulting on regional peace and stability. Taking to Twitter, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said that both countries are keen to deepen and strengthen bilateral relations. He added that the foreign minister also handed over a letter from Imran Khan to the president of Sri Lanka inviting him to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
Qureshi arrived in Colombo late Sunday night. He began his two-day official visit of Sri Lanka on Monday. On November 20, Imran telephoned newly elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, congratulating him on his electoral win and invited him to visit Pakistan at his ‘earliest convenience’.
