SL would not have defeated terrorism without Pakistan’s support - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa noted that Pakistan extended unflinching support to Sri Lanka during the three decade internal conflict and immensely helped in the elimination of the menace of terrorism from Sri Lankan soil.

He said Sri Lanka would not have eliminated the scourge of terrorism without the help and support of Pakistan. He said Pakistan has proved to be a true friend of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan government as well as public have deep affection for Pakistan.

President Rajapaksa was speaking when a Pakistani Parliamentary delegation led by Member

of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Chairperson of National Commission for Human Development Dr Nafisa Shah paid a courtesy call on him at Temple Trees in Colombo.

Other members of the delegation included the Speaker of Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan and Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Seema Ilahi Baloch also accompanied the Pakistani delegation.

Dr Nafisa Shah conveyed appreciation of the Pakistani government,Parliament and people to the President for the hospitality extended by people and the Government of Sri Lanka towards the Pakistani delegation.

She also commended the arrangements made by the Sri Lankan government for organizing the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in an impressive manner.

She said Pakistan and Sri Lanka are historically bonded in a relationship of trust, mutual respect and deep friendship which is manifested at all the phases of their histories.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and stressed upon the need to work closely in the regional and global context.

The 22 member Pakistani Parliamentary delegation is currently visiting Sri Lanka to participate in the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Colombo.