Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff in Sri Lanka

On the invitation of the Sri Lankan Navy Commander, the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, is in Sri Lanka on a five-day official visit. 

He was warmly received by the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne and the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad Khan Sipra, at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

During his visit Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah called on top military officials in Sri Lanka including Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke, Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Lt. Gen A.W.J. Crishanthe De Silva and Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi at their offices. During the meetings both sides exchanged views on issues of bilateral importance and mutual interest. At each of the occasions, mementos were exchanged to mark his visit.

The Chief of the Naval Staff was also the Chief Guest at the passing out parade held at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee where he declared open the Sailing Club. Admiral Zakaullah also visited the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the International Buddhist Museum in Kandy on Sunday morning.

Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah joined the Pakistan Naval Academy in 1975 and was commissioned in the Operations Branch in 1978. He specialised as a Principal Warfare Officer from the UK and Navigation and Direction Officer from Pakistan. He was appointed to the highest seat of the Pakistan Navy in 2014.