Lanka-Pakistan leaders to discuss range of issues

Rashomi SILVA

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka and Pakistan are seeking to strengthen their close ties with the planned visit of President Mahinda Rajapakse at end March, officials said.

"This visit will begin from the 31st," said High Commission spokesman Zahoor Baralas.

He said it would be basically a goodwill visit and was arranged on an invitation from Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Their bilateral talks will focus on a range of issues including defence cooperation. Pakistan is a leading provider of training to Lankan troops.

"Sri Lanka is the biggest recipient of Pakistani military training and the visit will prompt closer cooperation," Baralas said.

"Sri Lanka has asked to increase the quota for its students in professional studies, universities and Colleges, both on scholarship based and self-financing basis," he added.

Pakistan is likely to respond positively to the request. Commenting on the scheduled visit, he said bilateral discussions and agreements would depend on the composition of President Rajapakse's delegation. "We are now working out the tentative schedule," he said.