Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs’ meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management on 17 January, 2014

Islamabad, January 17, 2014 (PPI-OT): Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management of Sri Lanka, is paying a three day visit to Pakistan from 16-19 January 2014 as Special Envoy of the President of Sri Lanka. The Special Envoy’s engagements include calling on the Prime Minister, the President, Chairman Senate, Minister of State for Water and Power and the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs (SAPM).

Mr. Siripala de Silva held a detailed meeting with the SAPM today. The two sides exchanged views on a wide gamut of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, including cooperation in SAARC, Commonwealth and various UN bodies. The SAPM also hosted a lunch for the visiting dignitary.

The two sides appreciated that the recent summit level meetings between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the President of Sri Lanka, in New York and Colombo in September and November 2013 respectively, had provided further momentum to the expanding bilateral ties.

The SAPM and the Sri Lankan Special Envoy agreed that while the two countries enjoyed close and cordial relations, there was a need to further strengthen the economic and commercial ties through enhanced trade, investment and joint ventures. Both sides also stressed the importance of strengthening SAARC and sharing best practices within the region particularly in economic and social cooperation and poverty alleviation sectors.

The two sides also agreed to continue with their existing cooperation and support on issues of mutual interest in the international organizations including support to each other’s candidatures in the Commonwealth and UN organs.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Aizaz Ahmad
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: 051-9205494
Fax: 051-9204202
Cell: 0336-5644459