Army chief begins crucial Sri Lanka trip

Gen Raheel to meet President and PM in four-day visit to Colombo.

ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif began a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka on Friday. This is considered to be a crucial tour against the backdrop of a change of government in Colombo earlier this year.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have a longstanding relationship, particularly in defence. Islamabad has historically worked with Colombo to defeat the prolonged insurgency by Tamil Tigers in the island nation.

However, the surprise election of Maithripala Sirisena as president of Sri Lanka earlier this year may change Colombo’s priorities. Sirisena is seen as a pro-India politician. He is seeking to adopt a more independent foreign policy than that of his predecessor, who was close to both China and Pakistan. In this backdrop, the visit of Gen Raheel is considered as crucial.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Gen Raheel will meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.  He will also meet the top leadership of Sri Lanka’s armed forces, the statement added.

“The visit of the Pakistan Army chief will provide both sides with an opportunity to review ongoing cooperation and collaboration, and to discuss ways to further broaden and deepen this relationship,” reported Radio Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2015.