Official tour: PM Nawaz in Colombo (Page 9)

COLOMBO:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in the Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Monday to hold meetings with the Sri Lankan leadership on issues of mutual interest.

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe received PM Nawaz on his arrival at the Bandranaike International Airport. A smartly turned out contingent of Sri Lankan forces presented guard of honour, while two children clad in traditional dresses presented bouquets to PM Nawaz and Begum Kasloom Nawaz.

The Premier’s delegation includes Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Maj-Gen (retd) Syed Shakil Hussain and senior officials of the Sri Lankan government were present at the airport.

PM Nawaz is undertaking the visit on the invitation of President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena.

During his stay in Colombo, the Prime Minister will lead the bilateral and delegation-level talks to be joined by the Sri Lankan president, prime minister and cabinet ministers. The two countries will sign several agreements in the areas of health, science and technology, trade, statistics, gem and jewellery, money laundering and terrorism financing, and culture.

Majestic Pakistan

Later in the evening, PM Nawaz presented a book titled Majestic Pakistan to his Sri Lankan counterpart, at its launch ceremony in Colombo. The two prime ministers joined the launch of trilingual book - in English, Sinhalese and Tamil languages -  at an event organised by Pakistan High Commission in Colombo.  Majestic Pakistan is a compilation of photographs depicting the beautiful scenery of different areas of Pakistan. It also highlights about Pakistan being home to Buddhist civilisation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2016.