News Letter High Commission of Pakistan Sri Lanka Issues by the Information Section, High Commission of Pakistan Colombo – Sri Lanka Volume - 06 April to September, 2013 Issue 1 Political and Economic Relations Foreign Secretary of Pakistan visits Sri Lanka Pakistan’s relations with Sri Lanka marked by cordiality, friendship: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Our object should be peace within, The Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Mr. Jalil and peace without. We want to live Abbas Jilani, visited Sri Lanka on April 2, peacefully and maintain cordial 2013 to take part in the 3rd Round of Bilateral friendly relations with our Political Consultations between Pakistan and immediate neighbours and with Sri Lanka. The last round of talks was held Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif met President of Sri Lanka Mahinda the world at large. from 17-19 July 2007 in Islamabad. During Rajapaksa on the sidelines of UN General Assembly on September 26, 2013. (Lahore, August 15th, 1947.) his stay, the Foreign Secretary called upon Sri The Prime Minister underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to its relations Lankan President H.E Mahinda Rajapaksa; with Sri Lanka which are characterized by cordiality and friendship. The Prime – Quaid e Azam Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris; Minister stated that he looked forward to his participation in the Commonwealth Muhammad Ali Jinnah Minister for Economic Development Basil Heads of Governments meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Sri Lanka in November 2013. The Sri Lankan President thanked Pakistan for its support to Sri Lanka in Rajapaksa and held in-depth discussions on a variety of bilateral issues of mutual the latter’s fight against terrorism and at international fora.He invited Pakistani interest with his counterpart, Karunatilaka Amunugama as well as with Secretary investors to invest in Sri Lanka especially in the sugar industry. The two leaders Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The visit of the Foreign Secretary to Sri Lanka is agreed to continue to work together to deepen and broaden bilateral relations part of a tradition of high-level contacts and exchanges between the two countries. through regular contacts and exchange of visits and by increasing trade and Pakistan and Sri Lanka have active engagement in all important fields including investment interactions. trade and commerce. 1 Pakistani Envoy meets Sri Lankan Minister of Technology, Affairs conveyed the warm felicitations of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Research and Atomic Energy. Prime Minister and the new Government of Pakistan, and handed over to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the President’s letter of invitation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo in November. The Prime The High Commissioner Minister responded that he looks forward to attending the Summit, and wished of Pakistan Maj. Gen. (R) the event every success. Qasim Qureshi, paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka’s Minister of Technology, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Development Research and Atomic visits Sri Lanka Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka on June 6, 2013. Pakistan’s Federal Minister for The High Commissioner Planning, Development, Prof. and Minister discussed matters of mutual interest, especially with regards to Ahsan Iqbal visited Sri Lanka to expanding collaboration in the fields of Science and technology between the attend 6th South Asia Economic two countries. The Secretary to the Ministry of Technology, Research and Summit (SAES) in Colombo Atomic Energy Ms Dhara Wijaytilake, assisted Minister Ranawaka, whereas on September 3, 2013 . This is Pakistan’s Defence Adviser Colonel Sheharyar Parvez Butt accompanied the the first ministerial level visit High Commissioner of Pakistan. to Sri Lanka since the taking over of the new Government Pakistan to further broaden ties with Sri Lanka: PM in Pakistan in June 2013. During the visit Prof. Ahsan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan values its relations Iqbal called on President with Sri Lanka which were characterized by cordiality and friendship and Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees in Colombo. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, also desired to further deepen and met the Sri Lankan Minister for Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa. The broaden these ties through regular Minister visited the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo, to interact with contacts and exchange of visits. the representatives of the Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister expressed these views in a meeting with High Commissioner of Pakistan meets Deputy Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Minister for External Parliament Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiri and High Commissioner of Sri Lanka High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Air Chief Marshal (R) Jayalath Lanka Maj. Gen. (R) Qasim Qureshi called Weerakkody who called on him on the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament here at the Prime Minister’s Office on August 23, 2013. The Prime Minister said Chandima Weerakody on September 28, that Pakistan deeply admired Sri Lanka’s unremitting endeavours for promoting 2013 at his chamber in the Parliament. economic independence, human dignity and social justice for the people of Sri Lanka. He also appreciated Sri Lanka’s commendable efforts in rehabilitation of the IDPs and reconstruction of the war-affected areas. The Minister for External 2 Pakistan’s High Commissioner urges enhanced bilateral Launching of The EXPO Pakistan 2013-Opportunities trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka Unlimited in Sri Lanka The High Commissioner of The High Commission of Pakistan in Pakistan in Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. Sri Lanka in association with the Trade (R) Qasim Qureshi visited Galle Development Authority of Pakistan District of the Southern Province (TDAP), formally launched “The EXPO of Sri Lanka on April 29, 2013. Pakistan 2013- Opportunities Unlimited” The High Commissioner met the on 24 June, 2013 in Colombo with the Governor Southern Province Ms. aim to boost bilateral trade. Minister of Kumari Balasuriya, Southern Industries and Commerce Sri Lanka, Naval Commander Rear Admiral Rishad Bathiuddin inaugrated the event. The Deputy Head of Mission Pakistan, Piyal Harischandra De Dilva Miss Amna Baloch gave detailed presentation on the EXPO Pakistan 2013, its (P.H.De Silva) and Mustafa Mohammad Awn, Head of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) history, concept, features and the logistics pertaining to the event. The High Galle District. The High Commissioner also participated in a meeting with the Commissioner, in his address, officials of the Galle District Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting said that economic diplomacy reviewed the prevailing business environment between the two friendly countries. is the primary focus of the new While speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner emphasized the need to government in Pakistan. In a explore ways and means to further enhance business connectivity and the volume subsequent event, the High of bilateral trade between the two countries. Commission of Pakistan hosted the Sri Lankan businessmen The High Commissioner of Pakistan visits Eastern participating in Pakistan EXPO 2013 along with the officials of Province Export Development Board of Sri Lanka, at the High Commission of Pakistan on September 25, 2013 prior to their departure to Karachi. The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen. (R) Qasim Pakistani Envoy Visits Central Province to bolster Economic Qureshi visited Eastern Province of Sri Lanka on May 27, 2013. The and Cultural links visit was aimed at understanding the The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri ground situation in the Province and Lanka, Maj Gen (R) Qasim Qureshi visited to explore opportunities to further the central Province of Sri Lanka on June develop economic, cultural and 30, 2013 to explore opportunities to further people-to-people links with that part of Sri Lanka. During the visit, the High develop economic, cultural and people-to- Commissioner met Governor of the Eastern Province, Rear Admiral Mohan people links and to understand the ground Wijewickrama at Governor’s Secretariat and held detailed discussion on all areas situation in the Province. During the visit, of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan including the assistance the High Commissioner met Governor of the Central Province, Hon Tikiri provided by Pakistan to the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. In addition, the High Kobbekanduwa and held discussion on bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Commissioner met the officials of District Chamber of Commerce and Industry Pakistan. Honorary Council General of Pakistan in Kandy Mr. Afzal Marikar, and also visited Pakistan’s Naval Ship SAIF. 3 also joined them in the meeting. The High Commissioner also participated in Vidyalam in Salam Baikulam Vavuniya. The Pakistan government undertook to a meeting with the officials of the District Chamber of Commerce & Industry uplift this school with the collaboration of the Sri Lankan government through Kandy, besides visiting Pakistan sponsored Zia Hospital in Akurana. Ministers Basil Rajapaksa and Rishad Bathiudeen. The High Commissioner also met Government Agent Sundram Arumaing Yagam and Deputy Election Pakistan’s Minister of State for Water and Power, Mr. Abid Commissioner Jaffna, Mr. Achuthan. During the visit the High Commissioner Sher Ali visited Sri Lanka also met the President of Jaffna Chamber of Commerce & Industry Mr R. J. Sekran. The Minister of Water and Power Pakistan, Abid Sher Ali visited Sri Lanka on August 18, 2013 to participate in the 2nd International Water Cooperation