FM Qureshi's visit to Sri Lanka cancelled over security concerns

FM Qureshi was due in Colombo from May 3 till May 5; revised schedule yet to be announced

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's upcoming visit to Sri Lanka and Maldives has been cancelled, diplomatic sources said on Thursday.

The foreign minister was due in Maldives on May 2 and in Colombo from May 3 till May 5, but the visit was cancelled in light of the security situation in Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks which killed at least 250 people.

A revised schedule for FM Qureshi's visit was yet to be released.

Pakistan has offered ‘every possible’ assistance to Sri Lanka in investigations into the series of deadly terrorist attacks. Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said last week that the offer was made at the highest level by Pakistan.

“Pakistan will provide every possible assistance that Sri Lanka requests. This offer of support has been extended by the president, prime minister and the foreign minister to their counterparts in Sri Lanka,” he told reporters.

There were reports that Sri Lanka had sought assistance of the Punjab Forensic Laboratory but Dr Faisal clarified that Pakistan "had not received any formal request from the Sri Lankan authorities".

Colombo may seek Islamabad's help to trace terrorists: Sri Lankan premier

Last week, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had also said Colombo may seek Islamabad’s help to trace the terrorists behind the Easter Sunday attacks.

In a written interview to the Hindustan Times, Wickremesinghe said Pakistan had fully supported Sri Lanka’s war on terror. “If necessary, we will seek their help to trace the terrorists and eliminate them.”

The Sri Lankan premier said the terror attack may boost ties between the two countries. “I see this tragic event as further strengthening the trust that exists between our countries and increasing cooperation,” he said.

He also dismissed the newspaper's insinuation connecting Pakistan to the bombings. “While we are investigating the possibility of foreign links, there is no evidence yet to suggest any particular country has backed these terrorists,” said Wickremesinghe.

“All the countries in our region are faced with the same threats,” he stressed. “Even the best of defences can sometimes be breached by ruthless terrorists, as we have seen time and again, all over the world.”

He said the Sri Lankan intelligence has worked with their counterparts abroad. “But this is the first time that global terrorism has struck Sri Lanka. This is a new experience for us and we will work with our international allies to apprehend all the perpetrators.”

In its report, the Indian newspaper claimed nine Pakistanis were among the 76 arrested by the Sri Lankan Police. However, the Foreign Office later confirmed that the Pakistanis were detained for overstaying visa and not on terror suspicious.