ISLAMABAD, 21 APR (DNA) – President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka, which are cordial and friendly adding that Pakistan will always assist and stand by Sri Lanka.

The President said this in a meeting with Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of the Parliament of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and his delegation of Parliamentarians, Monks, Civil Servants and Academicians, which called on him in Islamabad Thursday.

The President said that recent high-level exchanges have been very productive and are a testimony of dynamic cooperation between the two countries. The President said that both the countries need to increase their cooperation in the security and economic fields to further cement the friendly relations. The President said that Pakistan is home to a large Buddhist civilization and a rich heritage and is an attractive destination for religious tourism. The President said that Buddhists from Sri Lanka and all over the world are welcome to visit Pakistan to see the Buddhist sites.

Mamnoon Hussain also lauded the perseverance and resolve of the people of Sri Lanka in courageously defeating the menace of terrorism from their country. The President said that Pakistan has the privilege of being a proud partner of Sri Lanka in its campaign against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by providing unwavering support to it.

President Mamnoon Hussain said Pakistan welcomes Sri Lanka’s peaceful political transition brought by the January 8, 2015 Presidential elections and the August 17, 2015 Parliamentary elections adding that the bold steps taken by the political leadership of Sri Lanka to promote reconciliation and national unity are encouraging.

Speaking on the occasion, Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of the Parliament of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka said that Sri Lanka enjoys extremely friendly relations with Pakistan and appreciated Pakistan’s support and assistance during its campaign against terrorism in Sri Lanka.

He stated that as home to Buddhist civilization, Pakistan is deeply revered by the Sri Lankans. He conveyed greetings of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to the President, Prime Minister and people of Pakistan. DNA