Two sides discuss common interests and agree to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in other sports as well
Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Sri Lanka’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage, where both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in sports, especially cricket.
During the meeting, topics of mutual interest were discussed with a focus on promoting bilateral cooperation through sports. It was decided that Pakistan and Sri Lanka would strengthen cooperation in cricket and other sports in coordination with the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry.
“The warmth is returning to Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations,” Naqvi said, adding that cricket and other sports will further strengthen bilateral ties. He also praised the arrangements during the T20 World Cup and praised Sri Lanka’s management of the event. “I received great affection in Sri Lanka.
I thank them for their wonderful hospitality,” he said while extending an invitation to his Sri Lankan counterpart to visit Pakistan.
Naqvi subsequently also met Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Anand Wijepala, where both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in internal security, counter-terrorism, drug control and cybercrime.
The two countries decided to strengthen coordination against illegal immigration and financial fraud and explore joint training programs for police and paramilitary forces, including officer exchanges through Pakistan’s National Police Academy.
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Last week, Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif where it was decided that the Home Minister will visit Sri Lanka to deliver a special message from the Prime Minister to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The development comes amid the latest diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Sri Lankan President Dissanayake had earlier urged Pakistan to honor its T20 World Cup match against India, recalling Islamabad’s support for Sri Lankan cricket in challenging times.
The government later instructed the Pakistan national team to take the field “to protect the spirit of cricket”, reversing an earlier decision to boycott the match over the removal of Bangladesh from the tournament.
