Quetta calls for enhanced Pak-SL interactions

The Quetta Association, at its first convention, highlighted the need to establish enhanced interactions between the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The members also underlined the need for more interactions between Staff Colleges of Pakistan and Sri Lanka for mutual benefit in imparting professional training to its students.

At the first convention held recently at Galadari Hotel, it was also decided to formulate a delegation of serving and retired members of the association who will be visiting Command and Staff College soon.

While conducting the proceedings of the day, Col Sheharyar Parvez Butt, Defence Adviser of Pakistan urged the need to establish a more vibrant platform of the association which will be beneficial to both friendly countries.

The Quetta Association comprises the graduate officers of the Command Staff College Quetta Pakistan.

It was launched at Defence Services Command and Staff College Sri Lanka during the visit of the COAS Pakistan Army General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, NI (M), HI to Sri Lanka earlier this year.

The association has 41 members who hold highly significant assignments in their respective institutions in all the segments of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. The Quetta Association is a non-governmental, non-political, non-religious, non-ethnic, non-racial and non-profitable organization which provides a platform of interaction among the graduates of command and Staff College Quetta.

General Rohan De S Daluwatte Former Army Commander, CDS and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Brazil is the Chief Patron of the Quetta Association. The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka is the co-patron.

The ceremony at Galadari Hotel was chaired by Chief Patron Daluwatte.

During the meeting, the association members approved the constitution for the body and elected working committee members.

The attendees of the convention included Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Aman Baloch, Major General A M Perera, Major General NJ Walgama, Major General (Retd) G W W Perera, Major General (Retd) Nihal R Marambe, Major General (Retd) Gamini Gunasekera, Major General (Retd) D M Deepal Alwis, AVM (Retd) A B Sosa, AVM (Retd) E V Tennekoon, Brigadier H A N Hapuarachchi, Brigadier K J Wijetilleke, Brigadier W Aruna Wanniarachchi, Brigadier H J S Gunawardana, Colonel Sheharyar Parvez Butt, Defence Adviser of Pakistan and other serving and retired officers.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka being located in the South Asian region and being members of various regional and international bodies such as the UN, Commonwealth, NAM and SAARC are mutually important for each other. The relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is based on mutual trust and commonality of interest in maintaining regional peace, security and stability. Pakistan has always supported the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Both countries have shared common perceptions on almost all regional and international issues and are working together on all these forums for shared values and interests.

Since independence, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations especially in the field of defence. Both nations have assisted each other during testing times in their histories.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have comprehensive and mutually beneficial training collaboration for Army, Navy and Air Force.

Over a period of time, a strong bond of commitment and mutual understanding has been reached between both armed forces.

In future too, both the countries are expected to work more closely in the field of defence to boost peace efforts in the region.