A four-member delegation of Pakistan Navy delegation landed in Colombo on a 6 days visit to Sri Lanka.
The Pakistani delegation is headed by Commodore Mehboob Elahi. The Visit of the Navy high brass aims to discuss anti terrorism measures to be commissioned in the waters of the two brotherly countries.
The current visit is a follow up of 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 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, PN delegation will call on Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Janath Colombage and other high ranking officers. The delegation will also visit 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, High Commission of Pakistan, Colonel Sheharyar Parvez Butt will accompany delegation during calls and other important activities.
The Commencement of Staff Level Talks twice between the two countries has manifested itself on close cooperation and coordination on significant defence related issues.
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 testing times in their histories. NNI
