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Pak PM Sharif’s Lanka visit to boost closer cooperation
View(s):Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif concluded a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka this week, with the pledge of enhanced cooperation between the two countries in a number of fields including trade, development activities as well as cultural affairs.
Premier Nawaz Sharif greets President Maithripala Sirisena (above) and Premier Ranil Wickrememsinghe (below) at the Presidential Secretariat. Pix by Indika Handuwala
On his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sharif was received by his local counterpart and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Later, at a colourful ceremony attended by President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, he was accorded a Guard of Honour and a gun salute.
During his stay, Prime Minister Sharif held talks with President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and visited the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, where he was received by Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela.
He also visited the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, where he planted a magul karanda (Indian beach) sapling.
During talks between Prime Minister Sharif and President Sirisena, the two leaders agreed that the current level of trade between the two countries does not reflect the actual potential, and agreed to work towards reaching a target of US$ 1 billion within the next two to three years.
In this regard, the two parties agreed to establish a Joint Working Group with a timeframe of six months, to identify issues, challenges and strategies to exploit the existing potential in this important area of cooperation.
The Pakistan delegation which comprised several senior officials, was briefed on the ambitious development initiatives planned by the Government, including the setting up of Economic, Industrial, and Technical Development Zones in various parts of the Island, and the Megapolis development plan, while Pakistani investors were invited to explore investment opportunities in these mega projects in Sri Lanka.
President Sirisena also extended a special word of gratitude to Pakistan for the military training being provided for Sri Lanka’s military and police officers in several defence related fields. He also announced the gifting of a female elephant to Pakistan.
The Pakistan leader for his part reiterated his country’s commitment to invest in Sri Lanka in the fields of Sugar, Cement, Pharmaceuticals, Automobiles, and Infrastructure development, and offered to send sacred Buddhist Relics from the ancient Gandhara era for veneration by Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
The Pakistan Premier also delivered an address on Pakistan-Sri Lanka Relations on the invitation of the Lakshaman Kadirgamar Institute of Strategic Studies, where he spoke on the deep rooted special relations between the two countries based on history, culture and traditions.
He also spoke on regional security including Pakistan’s relations with India and Afghanistan, and on the need to work together to develop the region as a whole.
Premier Sharif delivering a talk on Pakistan- Sri Lanka relations in Colombo
Eight Memoranda of Understanding on promotion of Trade and Investment and the establishment of Joint Ventures in Fishing, Shipping, Power Generation, Cement etc., between the private establishments of the two countries, was signed during the visit.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was accompanied by Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan, Minister of Commerce, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Defence Production, Tariq Fatemi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Nasser Khan Janjua, Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security, Maj Gen (Rtd) Syed Shakeel Hussain, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Muhammad Shehzad Arbab, the Commerce Secretary and senior officials from several government institutions.