The Sri Lanka-Pakistan Friendship Association, in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka is organizing the 2012 Sports Gala on Saturday at Stanley Jansz Grounds, Colombo 2.
The Mayor of Colombo Mr A. J. M. Muzammil will be the Chief Guest at the occasion. The High Commissioner of Pakistan Seema Ilahi Baloch as the Patron of the Association, will also grace the occasion.
The Sports Gala will feature number of activities including 2 friendly cricket matches for men and women teams representing Sri Lankans on one side and the Pakistani Community based in Sri Lanka on the other side. The previous years’ Cricket Cup was won by Pak Men’s 11 and Sri Lankan Women 11 in their respective categories.
The event will also include various interesting activities like Tug of War (Males) (Females) (Children), Obstacle Race, Breaking the Pot etc. This event aims to foster friendship and fellowship amongst the Sri Lankans and the Pakistani Community in Sri Lanka.
General (Retd) C. S. Weerasooriya the former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner to Pakistan, is the current President of the Association and he has made invaluable contributions to make this organization vibrant and dynamic.
The Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association is one of the oldest Friendship Association of Srilanka which was established 62 years back in 1950. The Association has been able to establish itself as a useful platform, dedicated to the promotion of bilateral relationship and friendship between the two brotherly countries of Pakistan and Srilanka. This relationship is not restricted to any one area or field, but it encompasses every aspect of bilateral cooperation i.e. people to people contacts, culture, education, health etc.
The Association is endeavoring to promote cultures and traditions of both nations by supporting and encouraging cultural exchanges, celebrating events of national importance of both nations like National Days, Independence Days, etc. The SLPAFA also promotes various social welfare and fund raising activities, student exchanges and encourages students to obtain admissions into the recognized learning institutions for higher studies in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association invites all Pakistanis in Sri Lanka and all members of the Association to attend this event, together with their family members. The entrance for the Sports Gala is Free and both Pakistani and Sri Lankan Food will be available for all to enjoy.
Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan enjoy a deep bond of cordial friendship and understanding which is mirrored in various walks of life. The two Asian nations have a solid and unblemished history of standing together for each other in difficult times.
Apart from their deep mutual supportive relationship and sharing many common values the populations in both the countries are also locked in a deep rooted friendship which originates from the game of cricket. Both the nations firmly believes that the cricket is a not only a strong component which can be a harbinger for promoting peace and harmony in the region but also a great catalyst for bringing the people more closer.