(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Displaying a warm hospitality, a colorful reception was held on-board at Pakistan Naval Ship SAIF last evening at Colombo Dockyard.
The Minister for Primary Industries, Hon. Daya Gamage graced the occasion as the chief guest. The reception was attended by Minister for Skills Development and Vocational Training, Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, State Minister for National Integration and Reconciliation, Hon. A.H.M. Fowzie, Secretary Defense, Kapila Waidyaratne, Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander Army Major General Mahesh Senanayake, Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra, officers of the High Commission, a large number of people from different spheres of life and representatives of media.
While welcoming the guests, Commander of the ship Captain, Shahzad Iqbal 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, and cultural and defense relations between the two friendly countries and aimed at further strengthening these existing bonds, he highlighted.
He further elaborated that Pakistan is proud that number of Sri Lankan Navy Officers and Sailors have undergone range of courses in Pakistan. He thanked the government of Sri Lanka and its people for sending the Sri Lankan Cricket Squad who has won Pakistani peoples’ hearts in Lahore. He said that Pakistan always stood with Sri Lanka and will continue its support in future as well.
Later on, a cake commemorating Pakistan-Sri Lanka friendship was jointly cut by the Ministers, Defense Secretary, Chief of Defense Staff, Army Chief, Acting High Commissioner Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra and Pakistan Defense Advisor Colonel Sajjad Ali.
During their four days stay (November 5 to 8) at Colombo, the officers and men of the PNS SAIF are participating in various professional and sports activities with Sri Lankan Navy.
