High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama says relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan excellent

Centreline Report

ISLAMABAD: High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama has said Sri Lanka is the oldest democracy in Asia, in terms of universal suffrage, that was granted by Donoughmore Constitution in 1931, before achieving our independence being a British Crown colony for over a century.

He expressed these views while speaking on the occasion of the Independence Day of Sri Lanka. Chief guest Rana Tanveer Hussain Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Mushahid Hussain Chairman Senate Defence Committee, Fmr Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and a large number of diplomats and members of the civil society attended the event. The high commissioner further said, the 75thanniversary of Independence is celebrated at a juncture when the country is quietly making an economic recovery with the generous support of our friends, after undergoing our worst political and economic instability, attributed mostlyto the intolerable losseswe experiencedassociated with Covid virus that plagued the humanity. The Independence Day of Sri Lanka is a great national event celebrated by Sri Lankans all over the country with parades and cultural pageants, combined with the spirit of patriotism and national pride, he added. He said, the Independence Day also holds much significance for our people as it reflects the history of great sacrifices made by Sri Lankans in the realisation of its freedom at various stages under the colonial rule and also to remember and pay tribute to all who made the supreme sacrifice to ensure the independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

‘Nicknamed as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is famous for its scenic natural landscape, wealth of biodiversity, rich cultural heritage and above all for its hospitable peopleand isfamous orthodox tea that is grown mainly in the mountainous terrain’. The high commissioner said, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremasinghe has emphasized that the top most priority of his government is to ensure economic revival from the situation the country experienced in 2022. ‘Sri Lanka has chosen a neutral foreign policy, with its principle of friendship towards all and enmity towards none’. Hon Minister, Ladies and Gentleman While talking about bilateral relations he said, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have always been trusted-partners with brotherly relations having historical linkages dating back to the period of Gandharan civilization. Since achieving independence both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have extended cooperation to each other in different sectors and share similar perceptions in various international and regional fora. He said, there had been frequent high-level visits by the leaders of both nations and the visit by Ms HinaRabbani the state minister for Foreign Affairs in Pakistan, to participate at the forthcoming Independence Day Ceremonies in Colombo as an honoured guest has further complement our friendship.