Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan meets Sri Lankan President

Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq paid a courtesy call on Sri Lankan President Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa at Sri Lankan parliament on friday.

During the meeting, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq conveyed appreciation of Pakistani government for the hospitality extended by the people and Government of Sri Lanka towards the Pakistani delegation.

The Speaker said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka are historically bonded in a relationship of trust, mutual respect and deep friendship which is manifested at all the phases of their histories.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also commended the arrangements made by the Sri Lankan government for successfully organizing the Commonwealth Heads of government meeting (CHoGM) last month in which the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif headed the Pakistani delegation.  He further said that the meeting between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Sri Lankan President has given a boost to the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Speaker also appreciated the efforts of the Sri Lankan government in defeating the menace of terrorism from Sri Lankan Soil.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while acknowledging the support extended by the government of Pakistan during Sri Lankan war against terrorism, said that Pakistan’s unflinching support during the three decade internal conflict has immensely helped in the elimination of terrorism from Sri Lanka.

He further said that Pakistan has proved to be a true friend of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan government as well as public has deep affection for Pakistan.

 President Mahinda Rajapaksa also welcomed Pakistani investment in sugar sector of Sri Lanka and reiterated his governments full support in this regard.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and stressed upon the need to work closely in the regional and global context.

Earlier in the day , Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met his Sri Lankan counterpart Chamal Rajapaksha at the Sri Lankan parliament. The two speakers held detailed discussion on bilateral issue and explored the ways and means to further strengthen the parliamentary relations between the two countries.

Matters pertaining to the Parliamentary procedures, committee system and the budgetary process also came under discussion. The Pakistani Speaker said that he is looking forward to the visit of Sri Lankan leader of the House Mr. Nimal Sripala de Silva to Pakistan. He also invited the Sri Lankan Speaker to visit Pakistan at his convenience which he graciously accepted.

While addressing the members of Pakistan Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association, the Speaker urged the members to act as representatives of Pakistan in Sri Lanka. He underlined the need for more frequent interactions between Parliamentary Friendship bodies of the two countries and assured that he would personally oversee their working in his capacity as the Speaker. The Leader of the House in Sri Lankan Parliament Mr. Nimal Srpala de Silva and MP Dr. Sudharshi Fernandopulle thanked the Speaker and hoped that the visit would provide further impetus to the existing bonds of friendship between the two countries.