Pakistan Navy delegation visits Sri Lanka to share experiences

A four member Pakistan Navy delegation arrived in Colombo on a six day visit. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Commodore Mehboob Elahi. The visit is aimed at sharing experiences in the field of anti terrorism between the two brotherly countries.  

The current visit is a follow up to the staff level talks initiated between the two countries in September 2012, when a high powered defence delegation from Pakistan visited Sri Lanka to commence the first formal staff level talks between Sri Lankan and Pakistani armed forces.

The inaugural staff level talks in September 2012 covered a wide range of issues relating to army, navy and air force and it was decided that both countries will exchange defence delegations for experience sharing. Accordingly, the Sri Lankan Naval delegation recently undertook an extremely fruitful visit to Pakistan.

During its stay in Sri Lanka, the Pakistani Naval delegation will call on Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Janath Colombage and other high ranking officers. The delegation will also visit the eastern and southern naval commands. The delegation will apprise its interlocutors on Pakistan’s naval experiences and challenges at various training institutes in Sri Lanka. Defence Advisor of the High Commission of Pakistan, Colonel Sheharyar Parvez Butt will accompany the delegation during calls and other important activities.

The commencement of staff level talks between two time-tested friendly countries has taken the alliance between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to further heights and has manifested in close cooperation and coordination on significant defence related issues. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have comprehensive and mutually beneficial training for personnel of the army, navy and air force. Since independence, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations, especially in the field of defence. Both nations have assisted each other during trying times in their histories.