Army chief arrives in Sri Lanka on four-day visit

Gen Raheel's visit will provide both sides an opportunity to review on-going defence cooperation and collaboration

Army chief General Raheel Sharif arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday on a four-day visit.

The army chief is visiting the country on the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart, according to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.

During his stay in Sri Lanka, General Raheel Sharif will meet Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He will also meet the top leadership of Sri Lanka’s armed forces.

“The visit of Army chief will provide both sides with an opportunity to review on-going cooperation and collaboration, and to discuss ways to further broaden and deepen this relationship,” ISPR said.

“Pakistan and Sri Lanka have comprehensive and mutually beneficial training collaboration for Army, Navy and Air Force,” the statement added.

Earlier in May, the Army chief cancelled a pre-scheduled three-day trip to Sri Lanka following the Safoora bus attack in Karachi.

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“COAS cancelled his pre schedule three day visit to Sri Lanka due to Karachi terrorist bus attack,” DG ISPR Asim Bajwa had said.