Pakistan Army Chief arrives in Sri Lanka

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, who arrived in Sri Lanka on an official visit yesterday, was welcomed by Army Commander Lieutenant General Crishantha De Silva at the Bandaranaike International Airport – Pic by Kumarasiri Prasad, airport corrrespondent

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif arrived in Sri Lanka last afternoon on the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart, Lieutenant General Crishantha De Silva. 

The four-day visit will be General Sharif’s first visit to Sri Lanka. General Sharif was welcomed at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Lieutenant General De Silva, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. R. Shakeel Hussain and Defence Attaché Col. Muhammad Rajil Irshad Khan.

During his stay in Sri Lanka, General Sharif will meet President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. General Sharif will also meet the top brass of Sri Lanka’s armed forces.

The visit of Pakistan’s Army Chief will provide both sides with an opportunity to review ongoing cooperation and collaboration, and discuss ways to further broaden and deepen this relationship.

General Sharif is Pakistan’s 15th Army Chief and carries with him vast experience from Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. He was commissioned in the 6th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment in 1976. He has been Chief of Army Staff since November 2013. 

Since independence, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have consistently maintained close and cordial relations. Both nations have assisted each other during testing times in their history. 

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have previously collaborated on training exercises between the two countries’ Army, Navy and Air Force. 

Over a period of time, a strong bond of commitment and mutual understanding has been created between both countries. Both nations are committed to working closely across all fields to promote cooperation and peace within the region.