SL ready to play in Pakistan - Lankan envoy
June 5, 2011 10:29 am
ABBOTTABAD: Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy time-tested friendly relations and both look forward to a much closer cooperation in all fields, said High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan Jayalath Weerakkody while speaking as the chief guest at a reception arranged for a youth delegation from Sri Lank here at Modernage School and College on Friday evening.
Mr Weerkkody said that his country was ready to play cricket and other games in Pakistan if schedules were finalised through proper channels.
The cultural programme was attended among others by provincial culture minister Aqil Shah, the High Commission official Menik Bandara, Sri Lankan youth delegation and principals and students of various schools.
A 17-member youth delegation from Sri Lanka arrived in Pakistan on May 30 for a 10-day tour to visit prominent educational institutions, places of historical and cultural importance and meet with provincial and federal leaders in the country.
Sri Lank has started “Youth Development Program” and “Youth Exchange Program” is part of the main activity, which has been launched to equip the youths with the latest knowledge, said the high commissioner.
He pointed out that they were interested to arrange the visit on government level, but as Pakistan had devolved the youth ministry they contacted an institution in Abbottabad and arranged the visit privately.
About Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations, Mr Weerkkody said that besides trade, the two countries were ready to share experiences for the development of tourism facilities in Pakistan and could do much more in education and social sector.
Referring to the ongoing crisis in Pakistan, he said that Sri Lanka overcame a similar situation. He asked the people of Pakistan to stand by the armed forces and support the government, as both needed public support to bring back normalcy in the country. (DAWN)
Mr Weerkkody said that his country was ready to play cricket and other games in Pakistan if schedules were finalised through proper channels.
The cultural programme was attended among others by provincial culture minister Aqil Shah, the High Commission official Menik Bandara, Sri Lankan youth delegation and principals and students of various schools.
A 17-member youth delegation from Sri Lanka arrived in Pakistan on May 30 for a 10-day tour to visit prominent educational institutions, places of historical and cultural importance and meet with provincial and federal leaders in the country.
Sri Lank has started “Youth Development Program” and “Youth Exchange Program” is part of the main activity, which has been launched to equip the youths with the latest knowledge, said the high commissioner.
He pointed out that they were interested to arrange the visit on government level, but as Pakistan had devolved the youth ministry they contacted an institution in Abbottabad and arranged the visit privately.
About Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations, Mr Weerkkody said that besides trade, the two countries were ready to share experiences for the development of tourism facilities in Pakistan and could do much more in education and social sector.
Referring to the ongoing crisis in Pakistan, he said that Sri Lanka overcame a similar situation. He asked the people of Pakistan to stand by the armed forces and support the government, as both needed public support to bring back normalcy in the country. (DAWN)
