Pakistan donates Rs. 74 m to Sri Lanka

On behalf of the Government of Pakistan, the High Commissioner of Pakistan Major General (R) Muhammad Saad Khattak handed over two cheques amounting to Rs. 66 million and Rs. 8.027 million to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a ceremony held recently at Gangaramaya Temple. Defence Secretary General G.D.H. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd.) was also present during the ceremony.

The amount of Rs. 66 million (equal to Pak Rs. 52 million) was announced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan during his visit to Sri Lanka in February this year for promotion of sports through training and equipment, whereas the amount of Rs. 8.027 million is being donated to the State Pharmaceutical Corporation of Sri Lanka for relief assistance for COVID-19. 

In his remarks, the High Commissioner emphasised on the importance of enhanced collaboration between the two brotherly countries for the upliftment of our people. He also said that the Government and the people of Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with the Government and the brotherly people of Sri Lanka in their hour of need and would continue to provide all possible support to them.

The High Commissioner also briefed the President about 250 fully-funded Allama Iqbal scholarships offered to the Sri Lankan students in all disciplines including 100 scholarships specifically allocated for MBBS students. The President was very thankful for the Government of Pakistan for offering these scholarships for the deserving Sri Lankan students. 

The High Commissioner expressed his special gratitude to Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Chief Incumbent Dr. Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thero, who presided over the proceedings and was the Guest of Honour at the event. Dr. Asela Wickramasinghe was also present at the ceremony.