PNS ASLAT DEPARTED AFTER SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO COLOMBO

Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) “ASLAT” departed from Port of Colombo after a successful 3 days’ goodwill visit from 01-04 February 2025. The ship was given a traditional farewell by Sri Lanka Navy, when it left the port amid tunes of Pakistani National Songs played by a smartly turned out Sri Lanka Navy Band.

During stay at port, Captain Muhammad Azhar Akram, Commanding Officer of the ship called on Commander Western Naval Area. Pakistan Navy officers and men visited different Sri Lanka Navy units / training facilities as well as participated in the friendly sports meets arranged by Sri Lanka Navy. Sri Lanka Navy Officers and men visited PNS ASLAT and interaction resulted in exchange of professional knowledge on matters on mutual interests.

Highlight of PNS ASLAT visit was a colorful dinner reception displaying traditional Pakistani hospitality, hosted on-board PNS ASLAT, last evening at Colombo Dockyard. Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The reception was attended by Hon. Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Major General (Retd) K P A Jayasekera WWV, RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, Deputy Defence Minister, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha, WWV, RWP and two bars, RSP and bar, USP, psc, Secretary to Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, Commander of Sri Lanka Army, Vice Admiral B A K S P Banagoda RSP USP ndc psc,  Commander of Sri Lanka Navy, Air Vice Marshal SDGM Silva WWV RSP USP rcds fawc psc, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force,  High Commissioner of Pakistan Major General (Retd) Faheem Ul Aziz, HI(M), Ambassadors/ High Commissioners from friendly nations, Senior Serving and Retired Officers of Sri Lankan Armed Forces, Defense Advisors/ Attachés, Officers of Pakistan High Commission, a large number of guests from different spheres of life and representatives of media.

While welcoming the guests, Commander of the ship Captain Muhammad Azhar Akram said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have strong ties and both navies engage in multilayered cooperation.  The visit is a manifestation of the strong diplomatic, economic, cultural and defense relations between the two friendly countries and aimed at further strengthening these existing bonds, he highlighted.

High Commissioner of Pakistan Major General (Retd) Faheem Ul Aziz, HI(M) thanked the distinguished guests for honoring us by joining the dinner reception onboard PNS ASLAT. HC reiterated that bilateral relations between the two nations and the two armed forces are exemplary and expressed his resolve to fortify them with each passing day. He highlighted that recent high level bilateral visits and interactions are the manifestation of common desire to cooperate. Historically both nations have demonstrated to standby either side in times of need.

Later on, a cake commemorating Pakistan-Sri Lanka friendship was jointly cut by Chief Guest, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Defence Minister, Secretary Defense, Commanders of Tri-Services, High Commissioner of Pakistan, Captain of the Ship and Pakistan Defense Advisor.

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Colombo

February 01, 2025