PM thanks Sri Lankan leadership, people for gracious hospitality

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday said that Sri Lanka is a special friend and a strong partner of Pakistan.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Imran Khan thanked the leadership and the people of Sri Lanka for his warm reception and gracious hospitality during his recent visit.

The Prime Minister said he agrees with the impression that Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations are growing in a dignified manner for further expansion and promotion.

پرجوش خیرمقدم اور پُرعنایت میزبانی پر میں وزیراعظم جناب @PresRajapaksa
اور سری لنکا کے عوام کا شکرگزار ہوں۔ 🇱🇰 ایک خاص دوست اور مضبوط شراکت دار ہے۔ میں اس تاثر سے متفق ہوں کہ دونوں ممالک کے مابین تعاون پر مبنی تعلقات استحکام و افزائش کی راہ پر باوقار پیش قدمی جاری رکھے ہوئے ہیں۔

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— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 25, 2021

In a Joint Communiqué, issued in Colombo, on the conclusion of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s two-day visit to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have reiterated their commitment to the principles and objectives of the SAARC Charter and stressed the need of SAARC Member countries to build on convergence, for greater good of the people in the region.

The two sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to regional peace, security and stability. Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored the need for peaceful resolution of outstanding disputes through constructive dialogue in accordance with international legitimacy.

In the context of regional connectivity, Imran Khan highlighted the opportunities presented by China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for regional economic growth and prosperity and invited Sri Lanka to join it.

To realize the goal of achieving one billion dollars bilateral trade target and to work to broaden and deepen Pakistan-Sri Lank Free Trade Agreement, the two sides reached broad consensus on ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in diverse fields.

The Pakistan side announced 100 scholarships in the field of medicine (MBBS and BDS) for Sri Lankan students.

They also agreed to enhance cooperation in tourism and share expertise in the hospitality industry.

They expressed satisfaction over the existing bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and noted that the elevation of staff-level talks to Defence Dialogue has further provided an opportunity to expand security sector ties.

During the visit, five Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the two countries.

Imran Khan extended an invitation to the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to visit Pakistan.