Visit of Raheel Sharif: Sri Lankan leaders all praise for Pakistan

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has acknowledged that Pakistan had played a ‘substantial’ role in helping consolidate the integrity of the island nation which had been wracked by a deadly Tamil insurgency until it was put out in 2009.

In a meeting with army chief General Raheel Sharif on Monday in Colombo, Sirisena also thanked the people and armed forces of Pakistan for their ‘unwavering support’ in their fight against terrorism and patterning them in region and bilateral security.

Sirisena termed Gen Raheel’s visit very significant to strengthening the existing strong relationship between both the militaries, the military’s media wing, the ISPR, said in a statement.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have enjoyed strong defence and security ties. Islamabad’s support was seen as crucial to help Colombo defeat the prolonged insurgency by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam.

The acknowledgement of Pakistan’s support by the Sri Lankan leader is believed to be the most significant outcome of Gen Raheel’s visit given Sirisena’s apparent tilt towards India.

According to the ISPR statement, the Sri Lankan president appreciated Pakistan Army’s ‘momentous achievements’ in the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb and sacrifices for regional peace and stability.

The army chief expressed his appreciation for Sri Lankan government, people and security forces in fighting menace of terrorism and progress made thereafter. (tribune.com.pk)