"SRI LANKA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS: FOR STRATEGIC

RELATIONSHIP”.

Govt. College. University. Faisalabad. Pakistan

Supervisors: DR. Anwar ali.

Numan Nasir.
A Research Report submitted to the Govt. College. University of Faisalabad in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of BS of Hon’s in Political science.

Department: Political. Science

Govt. College. University of Faisalabad
Session 2018-2022

i
 Dedication
My research report is dedicated to my friends who remain supportivethroughout the
process

ii
 Acknowledgement

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Anwar ali, for his highly regarded and
constructive recommendations during the planning and development of this research project. His
willingness to donate his time has been greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank the brilliant
members of the Department of Political Science, Government College University Faisalabad,
under their leadership of the hard work that enabled me to propose this research project. I
acknowledge that this work is the product of my research and has not been submitted for any other
degree.

Numan Nasir.

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 CERTIFICATE BY THE RESEARCH SUPERVISIOR

I certify that the contents and form of report by Numan Nasir, registration no. 2018-GCUF-03281
have been found satisfactory and in accordance with the prescribed format. I recommend it to be
processed for the evaluation by the External Examiner for the award of degree.

Supervisor: Dr. Anwar Ali.

Signature:
Stamp:

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CONTENTS

1-INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 7
2- Strategic relationships of Sri- lanka and Pakistan............................................9
3- Pakistan in Sri Lanka’s Changing Foreign Policy..........................................16
4- Pakistan – Sri Lanka Trade Relationship...........................................................24
5- Enduring Friendship between Sri-Lanka and Pakistan. ....................................27
6.Conclusion…………………………… ...................................................................41
Refrences…………………..................................................................................... 42

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 ABSTRACT
On 23 February 2021, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Sri Lanka with
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razzak Dawood,
Special Assistant Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari and 40 leading Pakistani businessmen.
However, the visit was overshadowed by Colombo’s challenges at the United Nations
(UN) Human Rights Council (UNHRC) where the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights Michelle Bachelet submitted a resolution.1 The Sri Lankan government rejected
the UNHRC resolution and has sought assistance from China, Russia, Pakistan and
other member states to defeat it. China has given its unconditional support to Sri Lanka.
Regardless of the ultimate fate of the UNHRC resolution, what is certain is that the
China-Sri Lanka axis will be further strengthened, and Pakistan’s support will add extra
weight to it. Khan’s remarks reflecting his desire to connect the Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI) infrastructure to the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka suggests Pakistan’s long-term
ambition of generating more revenue from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) than is currently being collected for the debtridden state. This ‘infrastructural
axis’ between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China will become fully operational when
projects such as the CPEC are completed. Responding to the tensions with India on
Tamil question, Colombo has been bolstering ties with other players including Pakistan
from time to time. Indeed, Colombo and Islamabad have enjoyed a close and mutually
beneficial relationship since their independence in 1948. Their partnerships are
evidently comprehensive: economic, political, and sociocultural and defence. Pakistan
has long provided Sri Lanka with major military, technical, and economic assistance
since 1980s, including the offering the service of Pakistan Air Force pilots in the
operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In fact, analysts were of
views that growing relations between the Sri Lanka and Pakistan (other than Sri Lanka‘s
closer ties with China) had ultimately prompted India to push for even stronger hard-line
policy against its southern neighbour, Sri Lanka.

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Chapter: 1.
Introduction.

Responding to the tensions with India on Tamil question, Colombo has been bolstering
ties with other players including Pakistan from time to time. Indeed, Colombo and
Islamabad have enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship since their
independence in 1948. Their partnerships are evidently comprehensive: economic,
political, and sociocultural and defence. Pakistan has long provided Sri Lanka with
major military, technical, and economic assistance since 1980s, including the offering
the service of Pakistan Air Force pilots in the operation against the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In fact, analysts were of views that growing relations between the
Sri Lanka and Pakistan (other than Sri Lanka‘s closer ties with China) had ultimately
prompted India to push for even stronger hard-line policy against its southern
neighbour, Sri Lanka.
On 23 February 2021, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Sri Lanka with
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razzak Dawood,
Special Assistant Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari and 40 leading Pakistani businessmen.
However, the visit was overshadowed by Colombo’s challenges at the United Nations
(UN) Human Rights Council (UNHRC) where the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights Michelle Bachelet submitted a resolution.1 The Sri Lankan government rejected
the UNHRC resolution and has sought assistance from China, Russia, Pakistan and
other member states to defeat it. China has given its unconditional support to Sri Lanka.
Regardless of the ultimate fate of the UNHRC resolution, what is certain is that the
China-Sri Lanka axis will be further strengthened, and Pakistan’s support will add extra
weight to it. Khan’s remarks reflecting his desire to connect the Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI) infrastructure to the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka suggests Pakistan’s long-term
ambition of generating more revenue from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) than is currently being collected for the debtridden state. This ‘infrastructural
axis’ between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China will become fully operational when
projects such as the CPEC are completed.

India, meanwhile, faces a ‘triangular’ security challenge after being surrounded by

Chinese BRI infrastructure on three sides – with the CPEC in Pakistan, the China-
Myanmar Economic Corridor in Myanmar and Hambantota in Sri Lanka. The recent
Chinese power project in Sri Lanka, and the consequent objections it elicited from India
due to its proximity to the mainland, offer clear signs of India’s mounting concerns about

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China. Tensions are likely to grow, as there is no clear regional security architecture to
mitigate mistrust and uncertainty. Pakistan’s growing ties with China and India’s strong
relations with the United States (US) has triggered regional geopolitical competition by
which the BRI and the Indo Pacific of the US are being executed simultaneously.

Sri Lanka rhetorically and politically supports both strategies. However, its allegedly
‘balanced’ foreign policy is experiencing a China tilt, as seen in its preference to
bandwagon with China, as witnessed by recent decisions taken by the Gotabaya
Rajapaksa government on the US Millennium Challenge Compact grant, Japan’s Light
Rail Transit and India’s East Container Terminal. China’s growing sphere of influence,
bolstered through the help of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will further heighten India’s
security concerns. Sri Lanka should recalibrate its foreign policy to ‘balance’ and benefit
from both India and China while still strengthening its regional relationship with other
nations such as Pakistan.

Research Methodology:
This Research Reports will be used qualitative and the data will be collected through
existing literature like Books, Newspaper, Statements of political leaders, Governments
Reports, Articles, Journals, Magazines would be consulted. This research will be
analytical and descriptive.

Data related to the topic will be collected from secondary sources, (books, newspaper,
statements of political leader, government Records, Articles, journals, and reports etc.).

8
Chapter: 2.
Strategic relationships of Sri- lanka and Pakistan.

"Pakistan", has the warmest goodwill towards Ceylon, and I am sanguine that the good
feeling which exist between our two people will be further strengthened as the years roll
by and our common interests, and mutual and reciprocal handling of them, will bring us
into still closer friendship. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Governor-General of Pakistan, 4
February 19481

Introduction

Responding to the tensions with India on Tamil question, Colombo has been bolstering
ties with other players including Pakistan from time to time. Indeed, Colombo and
Islamabad have enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship since their
independence in 1948. Their partnerships are evidently comprehensive: economic,
political, and sociocultural and defence. Pakistan has long provided Sri Lanka with
major military, technical, and economic assistance since 1980s, including the offering
the service of Pakistan Air Force pilots in the operation against the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In fact, analysts were of views that growing relations between the
Sri Lanka and Pakistan (other than Sri Lanka‘s closer ties with China) had ultimately
prompted India to push for even stronger hard-line policy against its southern
neighbour, Sri Lanka.

Political Relations

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have historically enjoyed a close and cordial relationship based
on mutual trust, supporting each other in the crucial moments. In fact, their common
fear of India, particularly the strong influence of India or ‗Indian-ness' have fused them
together. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala was reported as saying in
1954: "...I can visualise that in twenty years time we will be sitting in Delhi as part of
India."2 It was the fear of India that led Sri Lanka along with Pakistan, to embrace
Western powers in the 1950s and 1960s. Undeniably they were sensitive to guard their

9
identity and sovereignty against bigger and stronger India. Again the words of Prime
Minister Kotelawala summarize the above point in a nutshell, referring to Pakistan he
was of the view that ―how closely related our problems are and how similar is our
outlook‖3. Thus, Pakistan and China were apparently a paramount alternative to Sri
Lanka against India.

Unlike their relations with India, the two countries enjoyed a problemfree mutual
relationship which did not complicate their ties. Consequently Colombo and Islamabad
have rendered mutual assistance whenever needed including in the fight against
terrorism and separatist in late 2000. Notably, Sri Lanka provided transit and refuelling
facilities to Pakistani planes irrespective of knowing that they will be employed against
India in Bangladesh during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.4 Also Colombo publicly backed
Pakistan on the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan apart from playing an
important role in restoring Pakistan to the Commonwealth.5 Pakistan‘s closeness with
China has also helped Sri Lanka to an extent not only in getting aid and assistance from
both the countries, but also in keeping India in check.

Sri Lanka-Pakistan relationship though seeks to lessen Indian pressure they were
however, never tried to forge a strategic alliance against India so far. The Sri Lankan
policy on Kashmir Issue is a case in point where Colombo has adopted a strictly neutral
posture. In 1956, when Prime Minister Bandaranaike, on returning from Pakistan, was
asked to comment on Kashmir question, he said: ―that is not my business.‖6 The Sri
Lanka‘s fervent to preserve a distinct foreign policy could be a rationale for the Colombo
strategy.

In short, as Mrs. Bandarànaike said ―Sri Lanka's foreign policy aspirations are fulfilled
in their totality in its relations with Pakistan.‖7 Since, Islamabad‘s backing to Colombo at
the time of its need worked as a secondary deterrent to "big brother India".

Economic Relations

The Sri Lanka-Pakistan economic partnership originally began as an enhanced political

relationship. Having forged political relationship the two countries decided that fostering
an economic partnership would be essential for long-lasting relationships. In line, both
concluded a longterm trade agreement in May 1955, which provided for most-favoured
nation treatment to each other by the two sides in matters of import and export, shipping
and other commercial transactions. The agreement also offered for mutual consultation
when necessary on matters related to trade. Within the broader framework of 1955

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agreement the two countries also regularly signed annual trade agreements apart from
constant exchange of trade and commercial delegations.
Later in August 1984, Sri Lanka and Pakistan signed new trade agreement, replacing
the 1955 agreement in order to further promote their trade relations. Under the new
agreement the two countries showed their resolute to strengthen and diversify their
trade. Also both countries agreed to set up a committee to review the progress in the
implementation of the agreement and to recommend measures for the solution of the
problems, if any. They also decided to hold trade fairs in each other's country apart from
promoting visits of businessmen and trade delegations.

Meanwhile during Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunge‘s visit to Pakistan in

February 2005 agreement for the Provision of Export Credit Facility of US$10 Million to
Sri Lanka was signed between two countries to buy Pakistani products.8 However, later
in 2006 President Mahinda Rajapaksa‘s offered a credit line of US$ 10 million to the
Pakistani business community to facilitate import of products from Sri Lanka during his
visit to Pakistan.

The Sri Lanka – Pakistan Business Council, incorporated on August 30, 1991 and later
on February 09, 2005 Pakistan–Sri Lanka Business Forum (PSLBF) was established
with the stated aims and objectives of the PSLBF were to encourage, furtherance and
promotion of business, mutual understanding and friendly relations between the
industrial and business communities of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

In spite of this, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were reluctant to sign Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) reportedly on the issue of scaling down customs duty on their one item each.
Apparently Colombo wanted Islamabad to allow at the zero rate import of tea, while
Islamabad asked for zero rate export of rice to Colombo under the proposed treaty.
Finally on June 12, 2005 two sides signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and notably
this was the first FTA that Pakistan signed with any country. Under the FTA, both have
agreed to offer preferential market access to each others‘ exports by way of granting
tariff concessions. Also Sri Lanka was offered to benefit from duty free market access to
206 products in the Pakistani market including tea, rubber and coconut. Pakistan, in
return, gained duty free access to 102 products in the Sri Lankan market including
oranges, basmati rice and engineering goods.

Tea and cocoa remained the largest items of Sri Lanka's exports to Pakistan, followed
by natural and synthetic rubber and by betel leaves and pulses. Also Sri Lanka supplies
more than three-fourths of the ingredients in the Paan consumed in Pakistan which is a

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very popular edible item in Pakistan. Cotton, rice, cement, potatoes, fabrics,
medicament, textile fibers, electrical machines and apparatus are the major items
imported from Pakistan to Sri Lanka.
Pakistan is Sri Lanka's second largest trade partner in the South Asian Association for
Regional Co-operation (SAARC) region, behind India. Also Pakistan was the 26th
export destination for Sri Lanka (in 2010) accounting for nearly 0.7% of total exports in
value terms while it has been the 10th largest import origin contributing to over 2% of
total imports into Sri Lanka in the same year. According to the Sri Lanka Customs
statistics, the value of total trade between the two countries which stood at US $ 169 Mn
in 2005, has increased up to US $ 345 Mn. in October, 2011 recording a 4.5% average
growth during this period.12 In 2012 with a 159% rise in trade between Sri Lanka and
Pakistan since their 2005 FTA, Pakistan endeavouring to initiate private sector-based
joint ventures to boost commerce in jewellery, pharmaceuticals, textiles and granite. At
present FTA is weighted heavily in Pakistan‘s favour.13 In 2012-13, Pakistan's exports
to Sri Lanka amounted dollars 344.71 million and the imports figured dollars 67.06
million.14 The figure 1 given below would give depiction of Sri Lanka‘s external trade
with Pakistan.

Both the sides have discussed about the Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement (CEPA) in order to broaden the scope of the Free Trade Agreement but
however due to some political objections from Sri Lanka it seems they would move
forward.

Cultural Relations

The civilizational links between Pakistan and Sri Lanka are rooted deep in history. The
archaeological sites in Taxila in Rawalpindi district of the Punjab province in Pakistan
showed some evidence of conceptual and linguistic exchanges between two countries.
Also Pakistan is home to the remains of the greatest Buddhist civilisation, the Gandhara
Civilisation. The presence of small Buddhist minority (about 319,000 in 1947) in
Pakistan and a Muslim community in eastern province of Sri Lanka have contributed for
nourishing this linkage. For instance, in 1950 Pakistan participated in the first
Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) held in Sri Lanka and
subsequently Islamabad commemorate the 2500th anniversary of Lord Buddha in
1956,15 indeed the first country to do so. In 1958, the Government of Sri Lanka
received some portion of sacred Hair Relics of Lord Buddha from Ven. Dipankar
Sriganan Mahathro, the then President of Chittagong Buddhist Association and Chief
abbot of Chittagong Buddhist Monastery under the guidance of the Government of
Pakistan.16 The holy handing over ceremony was held in Karachi in the year 1958. It

12
was placed in a stupa in Madanpe Sri Lanka. Equally a high powered national
committee was set up in Sri Lanka to celebrated Quaid-i-Azam's birth centenary. Later
in December 1976, Colombo Municipal Council named a public ground in Colombo as
Jinnah Maidan.17
Further to institutionalize cultural cooperation between two countries, several societies
and commission were established. Notably, to promote social and cultural relations
Pakistan Ceylon Cultural Society was formed in March 1954 with Sri Lanka's Minister of
Finance Sir Oliver Gonnelilleke as its first President and in order to promote tourism
South Asian Travel Commission was set up in 1956 with Sri Lanka and Pakistan as its
original members apart from India.18 To facilitate more linkage including promoting
tourism Sri Lanka and Pakistan established direct air links between Colombo-Islamabad
and Colombo-Lahore. Accordingly, Sri Lankan Airlines started its operations in 1980
with three weekly flights to Pakistan and later have expanded its frequency to a daily
flight from Karachi to Colombo.19 Correspondingly, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
fly two flights weekly from Islamabad to Colombo. Interestingly in February 2011 when
10th ICC Cricket World Cup was hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh, PIA
launched a special promotion20 to encourage Pakistanis to fly into Colombo to witness
the World Cup matches. In 2010, Pakistan government decided to put Buddhist tourism
back on track in order to attract Buddhist tourist from Sri Lanka and other Southeast
Asian countries.

Defence Relations

Sri Lanka enhanced its defence cooperation with Pakistan since early 1970s. In 1971
when Sri Lanka witnessed brutal violence during the JVP insurgency Sri Lankan Prime
Minister Bandaranaike asked for military supplies from a number of countries including
Pakistan to strengthen its armed forces. Pakistan apart from supplying arms, trained Sri
Lankan security personnel. Equally Sri Lanka offered its ports for Pakistani planes and
naval ships during India-Pakistan war in 1971. Subsequently as Sri Lanka-Pakistan
relations expanded, President Zia–ul-Haq had sent the then Regimental Commander of
Special Forces, Brigadier Tariq Mahmood to explore ways and means of enhancing
training facilities in Sri Lanka. During his visit Brigadier Mahamood recommended
Saliyapura, home of the Gajaba Regiment, as a centre where Pakistan would like to
provide intensive training programme for a selected group of Sri Lankan officers-Non
Commissioned Officers and junior leaders. Reportedly, Pakistani instructors trained
nearly 500 in two batches.

Subsequently with the advancement of bilateral relations between two countries, since
2000 Colombo gained closer cooperation from Islamabad in military matters when it

13
went out for complete extrication of extremist LTTE in northern Sri Lanka. After China,
Pakistan in fact emerged as one of the leading weapons suppliers to the Sri Lankan
Security Forces. According to, P K Balachandran, The Hindustan Times' Colombo
correspondent, "it was with the help of the multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRLs)
supplied by Pakistan that the Sri Lankan army was able to drive the LTTE out of Jaffna"
in 2000.23 In 2008, Pakistan agreed to supply 22 Al-Khalid Main Battle Tanks (MBT)
worth US$ 100 million, besides hightech weapons during Sri Lankan army chief Lt.
General Sarath Fonseka meeting with his Pakistani counterpart General Ashfaq Pervez
Kayani.

According to the report, Pakistan supplied weapons and ammunition worth USD 190
million.24 Also in April 2009, Sri Lanka gave a shopping list $25 million worth of 81 mm,
120 mm and 130 mm mortar ammunition for urgent delivery within a month to Pakistan,
and reportedly Pakistani military agreed to supply them on an emergency basis from its
War Wastage Reserve maintained in its army depots.25 Apparently Pakistan was
generous and spontaneous in their support to Sri Lanka. In one sentence this gesture
can be understood from the Pakistan Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan words that
―Ceylon is our friend, Ceylon will not ask for anything unreasonable, give her whatever
she wants.‖26

Pakistan is also provided training to Sri Lankan security personnel at its premier
defence colleges, including Pakistan Military Academy. Sri Lankan personnel were in
fact was one of the largest in foreign cadets‘ category reportedly. Further apparently as
part of the cooperation, Pakistan Air Force pilots had participated in several successful
air strikes against several military bases of the LTTE in August 2008.27 Besides,
posting of envoys between two sides since 2000s shows the depth of their defence
cooperation. Pakistan sent Bashir Wali Mohamand, former Director General of the
Intelligence Bureau as the envoy in 2006, to Sri Lanka when the Eelam War IV in Sri
Lanka was at its peak followed by another Air Marshal (Retd.) Shehzad Aslam
Chaudhary for the High Commissioner‘s post at Colombo. Sri Lanka on its part
appointed Air Marshal Jayalath Weerakody as the High Commissioner to Pakistan in
2009 these postings were allegedly meant to help each other and guide the operations
against the extremists.

Interestingly, Pakistan‘s defence support to Sri Lanka was claimed as a major factor
that contributed for the ultimate defeat of the LTTE at the hands of the Sri Lankan
army.28 Keeping up the momentum, Pakistan seemingly wants to expand defence
cooperation with Sri Lanka including help to Colombo on upgradation and rebuilding of
T-55 tank engines, incorporation of rubberised tracks on tanks besides modernisation of

14
the fire and tank gun control systems and setting up a nuclear power plant in
Trincomalee.

Conclusion

Colombo‘s relationship with Pakistan began with a marked desire on both sides to have
mutual and cordial relations, their common perception of threat from India, has however
cemented their enhanced relationship today. By forging a close relationship with
Islamabad, Colombo was apparently able to check Indian authority, with greater political
strength. While Pakistan may have a gained certain advantage by its ties with Colombo
but its ability to stand on its own in Sri Lanka is doubtful given that Sri Lanka will not be
able to completely turn hostile to India. Also the fact that Pakistan which does not have
the international clout as India today and it would not be any help in sustaining Sri
Lanka‘s long term strategic interest. India, on its part, without worrying about the
Colombo relations with Islamabad needs to endure its ties with Sri Lanka in order to
retain its strategic and security interest in the region.

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Chapter: 3.
Pakistan in Sri Lanka’s Changing Foreign Policy.

Introduction

Pakistan – which is wedged between the four borders of India, China, Afghanistan and
Iran – has its own unique geopolitical complexity that has contributed to levels of
distrust by its neighbours. On its western border, “Afghans still view Pakistan with deep
mistrust, blaming it for the resurgence of the Taliban and for giving the insurgents a
safe-haven from which to operate”2 while towards its East, on the border of Jammu and
Kashmir, historical tensions with India continue.

Just like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, placed in a vital geostrategic location in the Indian Ocean,
faces its own geopolitical challenges. The island is a part of the conceptual map of
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the United States’ (US) Indo-Pacific Strategy.
Indo-Lankan mistrust originates from pre- and post-civil war Indian intervention in Sri
Lanka that sought to address Tamilian grievances, a concern that remains unresolved
to the present day. In addition, China is expanding its sphere of influence in both Sri
Lanka and Pakistan. This has increased the bilateral trust deficit and has become a
grave security concern for India. On India’s northern borders, a two-front confrontation
with China and Pakistan is brewing. The recent US$12 million (S$16.2 million) Chinese
energy project3 close to Indian shores has become a security concern for India.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government approved the joint venture energy project
with Chinese company MS/Sinosar-Etechwin. Weeks before this decision, an important
tri-lateral agreement along with India and Japan on the Colombo East Port Terminal
(ECT) was cancelled and repositioned to the Western Container Terminal. It was
against this tense geopolitical backdrop that Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Sri
Lanka in February 2021.

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Khan’s Visit to Colombo and Sri Lanka at the UNHRC

Khan is the first head of government to visit Sri Lanka since the pandemic began. His
arrival occurred at a significant juncture. Sri Lanka is facing international pressure from
the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) resolution against the
country. While the government has rejected the resolution, it will require the support of
the member states to defeat the resolution in the coming weeks. With 18 nations4 in
support – along with China, Russia and Pakistan – Sri Lankan will need more votes to
defeat the resolution. India’s vote will be decisive in understanding New Delhi’s political
posture towards its domestic Tamil community in South India and how strongly it will
seek to addresses the concerns of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

This time Sri Lanka will face firm resistance from many UNHRC member states, due to
its failure since 2009 to fulfill its commitments of genuine reconciliation, aggravated
further by the government’s decision last year to withdraw from its co-sponsored
resolution in 2015. The 2021 resolution highlights the minority concerns along with the
country’s growing militarisation.5 Pakistan’s support will be an important in winning the
Islamic members’ support at the Council. The narrative against the resolution, as
articulated by Sri Lankan foreign secretary, positions the Global North teaming up
against the Global South, “We fear whether they (the Global North) will hijack the
agenda of the UNHRC to target Sri Lanka”,6 reflecting the government’s alignment with
its domestic ultra-nationalist voter base. Even if the vote is passed against Sri Lanka at
the UNHRC, the government could effortlessly weaponise its ultra-nationalist agenda to
satisfy the domestic majoritarian Sinhalese Buddhist constituency.

Khan’s Parliamentary Speech and Forced Cremation

The last foreign leader to address the Sri Lankan parliament was India’s Prime Minister
Narendra Modi during his visit in 2015.7 Khan was initially scheduled to speak in the Sri
Lankan parliament, but his address was cancelled. Between the announcement of the
speech and the cancellation, another heated political development took place between
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Pakistani counterpart. This involved
Rajapaksa’s comment in parliament granting permission to Islamic burial rights. Khan
responded by tweeting, “We welcome Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s assurance
given in Sri Lankan parliament today allowing Muslims to bury those who died from
COVID-19”, endorsing the move as the right decision. This Sri Lankan government soon
backtracked on its initial policy decision of forced cremation.

17
This backtracking further aggravated the sentiments of the Muslim community. Rauf
Hakeem, Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and a parliamentarian, explained,
“Our government embarrassed our own Prime Minister first. Now they are embarrassing
the Prime Minister of another country visiting us. [T]his is pathetic. They [the
government] are going back on their own positions and statements repeatedly, like they
did with the assurance on burials. This sort of blowing hot and cold, especially in
diplomacy, reflects a lack of maturity and could impact our relations with our long-term
friends and partners.”8 The consequence of the unpleasant environment caused by the
forced cremation of Muslims could become a heated event in the parliament.
Realistically, this could be the reason for cancelling the speech by Khan in the
parliament and not the official announcement which cited COVID-19 preventive
measures. The forced cremation of Muslims has also become a concern at the UNHRC,
where Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has raised9
concerns regarding Muslim minority rights, questioning forced cremation in addition to
past Tamilian rights. Human Rights Watch10 has made a clear reference regarding
forced burial and suppression of minority rights in its latest report. In this regard,
Pakistan’s point of view and support will be essential for Sri Lanka to win the support of
the Islamic nations in the battle at the UNHRC.

The same applies to India, where Tamil grievances are a serious concern. Since the
end of the civil war in 2009, Sri Lanka has failed multiple times to deliver a solution to
this problem. India has raised concerns in this regard, as exemplified by the visit of
India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to Colombo in January 2021, where he stated that
the Sri Lankan government needs to take a clear position on the devolution of power.
There was silence on this matter from both the Sri Lankan president and prime minister,
while its provincial council minister Rear Admiral (Dr) Sarath Weerasekera rejected11
the 13th amendment and power-sharing arrangement, questioning India’s moral right to
intervene.

This leaves little or no space for a constructive avenue to address Tamil grievances.
Both Muslim and Tamil grievances depict the Sri Lankan state’s continuous failure, due
to its policy circle’s postponement of the issue, to produce any comprehensive solution
for the minority community, thereby leaving this dual-pronged concern for Sri Lanka’s
Muslim and Tamil communities unaddressed, and in the process offering little reason for
the global community to support Colombo’s rejection of the resolution.

Pakistan’s unwillingness to voice its concerns on forced cremation, unlike India’s voiced
concern for Tamil grievances, explains the former’s passive foreign policy and desire to

18
avoid becoming entangled in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs, much like China. Although in
terms of rhetoric, by refusing to make the forced creation of Muslims an issue, the
Pakistan government will be tacitly accepting Rajapaksa’s tilt away from India towards
China, perhaps opening a significant backdoor for it to provide military assistance to Sri
Lanka in the future.

Pakistan-Sri Lanka Military Engagement

In 2006, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam attempted to assassinate Pakistan’s High
Commissioner, Bashir Wali Mohmand. He was the only high commissioner targeted by
the rebels. The strong Pakistan-Sri Lanka military ties became a critical factor during the
war. The Pakistan military arsenal, including fighter jets and multi-barrel rocket
launchers, contributed to the government’s victory in the war. During the Mahinda
presidency from 2005 to 2015, the Sri Lanka-Pakistan military relationship grew strong.
During Khan’s recent visit, a US$50 million (S$67.3 million) credit line was offered to Sri
Lanka for the purchase of military hardware, to strengthen bilateral partnership in
combating terrorism and drug and narcotic trafficking and in intelligence sharing.

Sri Lanka faced its largest-ever terrorist attack on a single day on Easter Sunday in
2019, galvanising the succeeding Gotabaya government to take a strong position by
appointing a Presidential Commission of Investigations to bring the perpetrators to
justice. Sri Lanka has also fallen victim to Pakistan’s narco trade, where massive
amounts of drugs were confiscated by the authorities during former President
Maithripala Sirisena’s administration as part of a full swing war on drugs12 months
before the Easter Sunday attack. Pakistan’s assistance in intelligence sharing and
combating terrorism and the narco trade will be essential to Sri Lanka, since drugs have
been at the nexus of terrorism in the region and also contributed to facilitating acts of
terror. Pakistan-Sri Lanka military engagement – from the training of military officers to
weapons purchases – would continue uninterrupted under the present Gotabaya
regime, just like during the Mahinda presidency.

One Billion Trade Target and SAARC

19
In addition to economic ties, several memorandums of understanding (MoU) were also
signed between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in tourism, education, sports and technology. A
target of U$1 billion (S$1.34 billion)13 on trade was set, which now stands at less than
US$500 million (S$673.59 million). Both countries will need to invest more through
conducive economic policies in order to fully reap the benefits of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka
Free Trade Agreement which has been in operation since June 2005. However, on the
contrary, Sri Lanka recently introduced heavy restrictions and more inward economic
policies. With Sri Lanka’s reserves dipping to US$4.8 billion (SG$6.5 billion) in January
2021, and increasing concerns over pending debt repayment, the government has
undertaken measures such as requiring exporters to immediately convert 25per cent of
foreign exchange proceeds into Sri Lankan rupees.

These are being heavily criticised.14This strictly regulated environment is likely to

continue due to the ailing economy and it would impact trade with many nations,
including Pakistan.

A joint communiqué was issued in Colombo projecting the success of the high-level visit
and underscoring many areas, including resurrecting the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC), where Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s emphasised their
“commitment to the principles and objectives of the SAARC Charter” and “stressed the
need of SAARC member countries to build on convergences for the greater good” so as
to “to take forward the SAARC process for further strengthening regional cooperation”.
15 Departing from bilateralism, Pakistan pushed for its South Asian neighbours to revive
the SAARC process. Assessing Khan’s visit to Afghanistan in November 2020, it is
clear, a Pakistan foreign policy which is gradual, proactive and regional is in the making
and that Sri Lanka was its second stop.

Connecting the CPEC with Hambantota

Sri Lanka and Pakistan established close strategic relations with China by partnering on
the BRI from its inception. Altering Pakistan’s geography through a 3,000 kilometre-long
corridor slicing through the mountains, the BRI created a bridge with China through the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) starting at Kashgar in China and ending at
Gwadar port in the Indian Ocean. To compare, Sri Lanka possesses the Hambantota
port (the Chinese built the port and Sri Lanka leased it back to them), which is located
along the world’s busiest sea lines of communications. As such, the BRI projects are
marked to bring economic benefits to both nations. In addition, the twin projects have
set the background for the expansion of the Chinese sphere of influence in the region

20
and beyond, through the connections the CPEC will create with Central Asia. Both
infrastructure projects carried out by China have raised India’s security concerns.

Further, the Myanmar China Economic Corridor from the eastern front of India would
complete a surrounding triangulation of the Indian periphery by China’s BRI
infrastructure projects. Pakistan’s growing ties with China and India’s strong relations
with the US are, therefore, creating regional geopolitical competition whereby two larger
strategies are being executed simultaneously: the BRI of China and Indo-Pacific of the
US. Tension between the US, China and India in Sri Lanka has heightened due to clear
signs of the Sri Lankan government tilting its foreign policy towards China. In this
competitive environment, the Pakistan-Sri Lanka-China infrastructure axis will connect
and become fully operational when projects such as the CPEC are completed.

China’s large sphere of influence, due its all-weather strategic partnership with Pakistan
and the loans and economic assistance it provides to court the support of Sri Lanka,
outweighs any other sphere of influence occupied independently by either nation. As
testament to this, Khan proposed close collaboration between the two Chinese
infrastructure projects: to “Pakistan is part of the One Belt and Road initiative of China,
and [the] CPEC is one of its flagship programs, (which) ... means connectivity, and it will
help enhance Sri Lanka’s connectivity right up to Central Asia.”16 With billions spent on
these infrastructure projects, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be forced to find avenues
to generate revenue, which has become a burden in the present context due to their
struggling economic conditions to repay existing loans.

Connecting the CPEC’s port in Gwadar and Hambantota will also raise a security
concern for India if the usage of ports is dual purpose, that is, for both civilian and
military. A submarine port call incident in Sri Lanka17 is a clear example of such fears.
When Modi visited Sri Lanka in May 2017, a Chinese submarine requested a port call in
Sri Lanka, which the then-president Sirisena denied. The Chinese submarine was
subsequently received by Gwadar in Pakistan.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s strategic partnership with Beijing could thus accommodate
military submarines from the People’s Liberation Army Navy, heightening New Delhi’s
security anxieties. The degree of pressure would increase as China’s sphere of
influence in the region continues to expand through the support of its allies. This is
made even more significant due to the absence of any countervailing regional security
architecture, thereby becoming a source of serious concern for all South Asian nations.

21
Due to heavy infrastructure debt and financial assistance, Sri Lanka has chosen to
bandwagon with China rather than support India, the balancing power in the region. Its
weak economic condition, with continuous loans like the US$1,500 million (S$2,021.35
million) recent currency swap18 loan from China, is one clear example of Sri Lanka’s
preference for China. As explained by Stephen M Walt in the Origins of Alliances, “the
weaker the state the more likely it is to bandwagon rather than balance.”19

Pakistan is also heading in the same direction. Weeks before Khan’s visit, Gotabaya
terminated an important trilateral agreement between India, Japan and Sri Lanka on the
ECT which was secured in 2019. The tense protest by the 23 trade unions demanding
an end to the earlier signed agreement by the previous Sirisena-Wickremesinghe
government took centre stage. The cancellation was seen as a victory by the
government in protecting its strategic assets and moving in a direction away from liberal
economic practices. Against this backdrop, a simple public-private partnership could not
be executed due to the ultranationalistic position taken. Alongside the domestic political
concerns affecting the backtracking of the ECT, a popular local newspaper highlighted
the China factor in the decision.

Failed Investigations of Chinese Projects

Pakistan and Sri Lankan leaders have raised concerns over Chinese projects in their
respective nations – the CPEC in Pakistan by Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)
government and the Hambantota project by the Gotabaya government in Sri Lanka. The
latter assured the public that it will “… make it a priority to revisit the already signed
agreement”21 on the port deal signed by the previous government for 99 years.

Despite much hype and strident political rhetoric during both elections, there has been
no sign of significant amendments to either of these projects. Khan had accused the
government of then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif “of corruption in the management”22
of CPEC. “[In] November 2019, the PTI government appointed former military
spokesman Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa as head of a new CPEC Authority,
giving the military greater control over the management of the project”.23 Similarly in Sri
Lanka, former General Daya Ratnayake was appointed as Chairman to the Port
Authority by Gotabaya. Recently, after terminating India’s ECT project, General
Ratnayake commented in the media that the deal on Hambantota is in need of being
revisited due to unclear clauses.24 These appointments and the criticism of the
Chinese, however, did not impact the Sino-Pak and Sino-Lanka relationship.

22
During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s maiden visit to Sri Lanka in September 2014
during the Mahinda’s presidency, Sri Lanka elevated its bilateral relationship to a
strategic cooperation partnership25 inking two dozen26 agreements in Colombo. In the
same manner, during Xi’s maiden visit to Pakistan in 2015 April, 51 MoUs27 were
signed with the Sharif government. Regardless of the change in governments, China
has continued with the pre-signed bilateral commitments with both nations. The hostile
position taken towards China during the elections, where the Chinese have been
accused of corruption in their projects and infringing on nations’ sovereignty is toned
down post-election. Both Khan and Gotabaya uturned from the pre-election postures
they took on Chinese projects, often involving the rhetoric of the need to revisit and
strike a better deal to absolute silence. In his election manifesto, Gotabaya promised
that “[Sri Lanka] would abandon the economy based on foreign loans”.28 Yes, Sri
Lanka continued to borrow more from China. The “frequency with which Khan u-
turns”29 has also gone up during his tenure. He criticised the previous administration for
the proverbial ‘begging bowl’ syndrome of going out to the world with requests for loans.
He too has been seeking funds from the International Monetary Fund, China and the
Arab nations.

Conclusion

China has defended Sri Lanka in the international arena, including the UNHRC, and
would continue to do so. This assurance was given during the high-level visit of Senior
Ambassador Yang Jiechito Colombo, and was demonstrated in practice at the UNHRC
through the resolution submitted by Chinese Permanent Representative in Geneva,
Ambassador Chen Xu, explaining how “China oppose(s) politicisation and double
standards on human rights, as well as using human rights as an excuse for interfering in
other countries’ internal affairs”.

23
Chapter:4.
Pakistan – Sri Lanka Trade Relationship

PAKISTAN SRILANKA

Sri Lanka is Pakistan’s 19 th export destination in the world and the 3rd biggest market
in South Asia for Pakistani products. During 2020 goods exports by Pakistan to Sri
Lanka totaled $ 253.71 Mn against $ 323.86 Mn in 2019 a decrease of 21 % was
recorded. While goods imported by Pakistan in the same period was $ 71.2 million
recorded an increase of 9.7 % as compared to $ 64.9 Mn in 2019. Bilateral trade
between Pakistan and Sri Lanka triggered after signing of Pakistan – Sri Lanka Free
Trade Agreement (PSLFTA) in 2005.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Capital: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte GDP (PPP):

$306.997 billion GDP Per Capita:
$13,909 GDP Growth: -3.6% 2020 Population:
22.156 million Exports of Goods in 2020:
USD 10 Bn Imports of Goods in 2020 USD 15.6 Bn

MAJOR CHALLENGES

24
1:No proper trade dispute mechanism
2:Nonpayment issues for export items
3:Rejection of Intertek &TCP approved Basmati rice by (RRDI).
4:Special levy on import of Onion & Potatos

EXPORT POTENTIAL
1:Textile & Textile materials
2:Portland cement & cement clinkers
3:Pharmaceuticals & cosmetics
4: Agro foods
5:Steel and other construction material

SRI LANKA GLOBAL TOP 10 TRADE ITEMS

Import Items $ (Mn)

Export items $ (Mn) Mineral fuels,
2,094.86 Articles of apparel and clothing 2,543.50
Electrical machinery and equipment
1,265.40 Coffee, tea, maté and spices
1,641.80
Machinery, mechanical appliances,
1,251.86 Articles of apparel and clothing
1,583.82
Knitted or crocheted fabrics
762.94 Rubber and articles thereof
870.47

25
Plastics and articles thereof
611.53 Mineral fuels, mineral oils
298.50
Vehicles other than railway or tramway
603.63 Electrical machinery and equipment
274.07
Iron and steel 544.12 Other made-up textile articles;
234.44
Cotton 506.45 Fish and crustaceans, 214.94
Pharmaceutical products
496.69 Other vegetable textile fibres;
196.87
Cereals 396.12 Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts
192.09

EXPORTS TO SRILANKA (2020)

Pak-Srilanka Trade (2016-2020)Pakistan Exports Pakistan Imports:
Balance of Trade Linear (Balance of Trade).
IMPORTS FROM SRILANKA (2020).

26
Chapter: 5.
Enduring Friendship between Sri-Lanka and Pakistan.

PARTICIPANTS
The Conference was attended by almost 500 participants including students and faculty
members from various universities, government representatives, retired senior armed
forces officers, diplomats, law enforcement officials from across the country and
individuals from public and private entities.
Host Lieutenant General Muhammad Zahir Ul Islam, HI(M), (Retd) - Chairman, Center
for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS)
Chief Guest Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan, Federal Minister for National
Food Security & Research, Ministry for National Food Security & Research
Guest Speakers Ms. Saroja Sirisena, Director General of Economic Affairs,
Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Major General Shakeel Hussain (Retd)-Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri
Lanka
His Excellency Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid-High Commissioner of Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Pakistan

Post Event Report Conference : 2nd March 2019.

INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKERS
Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan, Federal Minister for National Food
Security & Research, Ministry for National Food Security & Research

27
Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan is a Pakistani politician who is the
current Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, in office since 5
October 2018. He has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since
August 2018. Previously he was the member of the National Assembly from 2002 to
2013.

Ms. Saroja Sirisena, Director General of Economic Affairs, Spokesperson of

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Ms. Saroja Sirisena heads the Public Diplomacy and Economic Affairs Divisions of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka. She is also the Ministry’s Spokesperson.
She served as the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai between 2014 & 2018,
She served as the Director General for External Relations in the Ministry of Economic
Development handling foreign affairs related matters from 2012-2014.
Prior to this, she served as Director/South Asia and Director/Consular Affairs of the
Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka. The excellency Ms Saroja Sirisena is a career
diplomat of the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (1998 batch) who has served as Minister of
the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office in Geneva from April
2010-October 2011 and the Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Brussels
attributed to the European Union from 2007-2010. She has also served in the Sri Lanka
Embassy in Paris and in Sri Lanka’s Permanent Mission to UNESCO as the First
Secretary from 2001- 2005.

Major General Shakeel Hussain (Retd)-Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to

Sri Lanka

Major General Shakeel Hussain served in various key positions. He was the former high
commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka. He served as the Director General of
AntiNarcotics force of Pakistan. General Shakeel was also the deputy Commandant of
the Pakistan Military Academy, an instructor at the Infantry School Quetta, and
Command and Staff College Quetta. In 2005 while commanding an Infantry Division he
oversaw the rehabilitation & relief operations after the devastating Earthquake in
October. For his exceptional services during this operation, he was awarded the Sitara-
e-Eisaar by the President of Pakistan. Currently, he works as an advisor to Pakistan’s
largest private security company ‘Pathfinder Group’.

28
His Excellency Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid-High Commissioner of
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Pakistan
The newly appointed high commissioner of Sri Lankan to the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan, Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shahied assumed responsibilities at the Sri Lanka
high commission in the federal capital of Pakistan Islamabad in October 22nd, 2018.
Previously, high commissioner Mohammad Shaheid had held several high-level
positions in the state sector. He had served as the chairman of national institute of
Cooperative Development, chairman Sri Lanka foreign employment agency, Director Sri
Lanka Bureau of foreign employment, advisor to the ministry of resettlement and
disaster relief services, chairman, intellectual property advisory commission, chairman
and director general of national enterprise development authority and prior to taking up
this diplomatic assignment he was working as the chairman of consumer affairs council
from 2016. Opening Remarks by Lieutenant General Muhammad Zahir Ul Islam, HI (M),
(Retd) - Chairman, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS)

Excellences, Worthy Panelists, Distinguished Guests, Ladies, and Gentlemen

Assalam o Alaikum & Good Evening
Lieutenant General Muhammad Zahir Ul Islam (Retd) commenced the ceremony by
welcoming all participants on behalf of the Center for Global and Strategic Studies
(CGSS). He expressed his gratitude for the worthy members of the panel who are here
to talk on this significant subject of “Enduring Friendship between Sri Lanka and
Pakistan.”
He thanked everyone for sparing their time and being part of this commemoration and
hoped that the conference would be an enlightening session for all.
He highlighted the fact that despite the geographical and religious barriers, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka have always been trusted-partners of each other with historical linkages
dating back to the period of Gandhara civilization.
It was asserted by General Zahir that both countries are an essential part of the region
and quite appreciably enjoy very cordial and friendly relations and extend cooperation to
each other in different sectors and are keen to further strengthen existing relations.
He was of the view that the current forces at work are shifting the power-centers and
swing of this center is at Asia rather than the international community. With the strategic
location of Sri Lanka, as the East-West sea corridor link, and Pakistan, as the conduit
for world economies, both countries are poised to become international trading centers.
He added that the formation of new alliances in the region to maximize the power of
regional states provides new opportunities for both countries to join hands and integrate
themselves with the world’s leading economies.

29
General Zahir stressed that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have continued to maintain strong,
robust and reliable relations through increased interaction at the highest political level
and in the sphere of public diplomacy such as people-to-people and intercultural
communication.
He pointed up that Pakistan values its close relationship with Sri Lanka and both the
countries have always stood by each other in turbulent times and shared common views
on regional security and in addition, both are striving hard enough to defeat terrorism in
their respective countries and regions.
He recommended that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have natural resources, which could
be exchanged, without tying the trade to the dollar which is a win-win situation for both
the countries. Additionally, both countries can collaborate in various fields including
trade, joint investments, and defense sector.
General Zahir Ul Islam concluded by accentuating that Pakistan-Sri Lanka ties can
serve as a shining example of cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international
level. As the business and trading communities of both countries complement each
other’s strengths, and as the two governments stand by each other in various bilateral
and international fora. He extrapolated that we take pride in the unconditional support
and in the diversification of the relationship that has manifested itself on a broad base.
In the end, General Zahir Ul Islam endorsed that people to people contact between the
public of both states via sports, education, music, cinema, religion, and cultural
interactions must also be increased.

Speech by Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan, Federal Minister for

National
Food Security & Research, Ministry for National Food Security & Research
Dear Excellences, worthy guests, ladies, and gentlemen,
As-Salaam-Alaikum,
Respected Minister for national food security, Mr. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan greeted
the audience and admired the efforts of both countries Pakistan and Sri Lanka to forge
the cordial relationship between them. He started by affirming the fact that Pakistan and
Sri Lanka's relations spanning over six decades are characterized by the spirit of true
friendship, mutual respect, understanding, and excellent cooperation. These two
particular states are significant in the South Asian region, even more so because of their
geostrategic position. And despite the geographical and religious barriers, Pakistan and
Sri Lanka have always been trusted-partners of each other with historical linkages
dating back to the period of Gandhara civilization, from the first to seventh century AD.

30
He underscored that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have sustained strong, robust and reliable
relations through amplified interaction at the highest political level and in the sphere of
people-to-people contact. The bilateral relations between the two countries, under the
overarching umbrella of SAARC, help to promote a brighter and integrated future for all
the people of South Asia. Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a Free Trade
Agreement with Pakistan, which became operational from June 12, 2005. 4,000 items
can be imported to Pakistan from Sri Lanka.
Mr. Sultan was of the view that Sri Lanka enjoys a key position in the Indian Ocean and
has much to offer in terms of maritime cooperation and the maintenance of peace and
security in the Indian Ocean region. He revealed that Pakistan desires to enhance the
maritime cooperation with Sri Lanka and seeks increased engagement between the
armed forces of both countries. He also assured that Pakistan will continue offering
training facilities to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, Police and other institutions.
Federal Minister articulated that China is rigorously working on the China-Pak Economic
Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan and pushing to increase its boldness in the IOR, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka are at a beneficial position due to their strong alliance with China, which
guarantees peace in the region’s waters. He also acquaints with the view that besides
ensuring that no single country of strategic bloc establishes its hegemonic monopoly
over maritime trade, especially in IOR.
He said that the people and the government of Pakistan are standing alongside with the
government and people of Sri Lanka in their march towards a bright future, which he
denotes as a passage to progress and prosper in future. In addition, he said that both
states agreed to expand their mutual ties beyond political and defense paradigms to
overall comprehensive engagement, such as trade, joint investments, and cooperation
in new dimensions. He reminded that Pakistan had signed a number of agreements with
Sri Lanka and both states are determined to eradicate the menace of terrorism from
their countries.
Federal Minister acclaimed that Pakistan values its close relationship with Sri Lanka as
both countries have always stood by each other in turbulent times and share common
views on regional security. Furthermore, the respective countries are facing an
existential threat from hostile states.
He cited that the volume of trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka had an increased in
the last few years and after the signing of the free trade agreement Pakistan became
the second largest trading partner of Sri Lanka within the South Asian region.
Mr. Sahibzada Sultan called attention towards Pak-Sri Lanka ties, which could serve as
an outstanding example of cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international level.
He added that if the two governments stood fast by each other in different bilateral and
international forums the business and trading communities of both countries could be
strengthened and economies of both countries could prosper. He narrated the fact that
Pakistan and Sri Lanka share deep ties from 2,500 years of the Buddhist and Gandhara

31
history, they have an element of mutual respect and consider each other as sovereign
equals, and aim for a future with a common and shared objective which also contributes
substantially to regional and global peace.

He stressed that Sri Lanka and Pakistan is in need of increase cooperation in health,
education and other social sectors. He added that the current dynamics of international
politics resides much focus on the Asian states due to their strategic positions. Sri
Lanka being the East-west sea corridor link and Pakistan having great attraction form
the world economies due to CPEC has become the international trading hubs.
Moreover, he recapitulated that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have great potential and are
focusing on further enhancement of bilateral trade relations and economic conditions.
Mr. Sultan indicated that the strong ties between both Asian nation-states are
established through sports diplomacy, especially via cricket. The 2009 attack on a Sri
Lankan cricket team in Lahore sent shockwaves across the world but the Sri Lankan
government and its people stood firmly with their Pakistani friends which is much
appreciated by Pakistani populace.
Mr. Federal Minister also drew attention towards the blue economy initiative by the
Government of Sri Lanka which was a timely effort, as Sri Lanka is full of attractive
tourist destinations and Gwadar as an emerging economic hub is analogous to them,
and both the states can adopt similar policy approaches for future stability and
economic prosperity.
Another aspect of Sri Lanka-Pakistan economic relationship highlighted by the speaker
was the inputs and vital commercial intelligence sharing. He indicated that our countries
carried out
extensive studies on commercial intelligence and now it is fully-equipped to share vital
information with a friendly country such as Sri Lanka. He emphasized that the new

Government of Pakistan is aimed at strengthening the bilateral relations between

Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

He concluded that our relations are rooted in antiquity, shared cultures, values, and
sense of common destiny. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in need to renew the manifold
bonds of friendship. Pakistan’s ties with Sri Lanka endures special priority as the
leaders share common views on regional and international issues. In addition, Pakistan
places its bilateral relations with Sri Lanka at high esteem and desires to further expand

32
bilateral cooperation in different fields for benefit of the two peoples. The Government of
China is investing in a new port near the capital Colombo and desires to establish a
Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka as part of its aspiring ‘One Belt One Road’
initiative. Furthermore, Sri Lanka is manufacturing 75% electricity through the hydro
source and both countries have the potential to work together in the energy sector for
attaining mutual benefits.
He suggested that confidence-building measures (CBM’s) are needed to be taken in
diplomatic fields. Furthermore, the maritime order, particularly in the Indian Ocean, had
been commonly respected and best observed. It is, therefore, the best time to initiate
not just talks but action.
Mr. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan ended his speech by accentuating that Pakistan is
looking forward to enhancing its ties with the Sri Lankan Government and the business
community of both nations needs to step up their energies to realize the potential areas
of business collaboration.

Ms. Saroja Sirisena, Director General of Economic Affairs, Spokesperson of Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Ms. Saroja Sirisena started his speech by extending her warm wishes to all Pakistanis
and lauded the efforts of Sri Lankan High Commission in forging cordial relations with
Pakistan. Ms. Sirisena also thanked the Center for Global and Strategic Studies to invite
her at an esteemed forum. She thanked the participants for being part of the program.
She was of the view that both countries are entering in the 8th decade of their relation,
there is much to look forward. She claimed it as Asian Century by comparing it with the
rest of the world, and in her analysis, she pondered upon certain astounding facts such
as the ratio of youth in Asian communities versus rest. She also highlighted the
economic prospects of the South Asian region in near future.
Ms. Saroja told the participants and panelists about the relation between Sri Lanka and
Pakistan and denoted it as a long-standing partnership. She emphasized that in 1973
Sri Lanka laid the foundation of a self-sufficient economy in response to the destitute
and unprivileged status of its masses. She narrated that the public was disgruntled due
to food scarcity and long ques of people to take food from government authorities. She
told the fact that Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ms. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the one
who communicated her country’s concern with her Pakistani counterpart Mr. Zulfiqar Ali
Bhutto who was prime minister of the country at the time. PM Sri Lanka briefed
Pakistani PM about their food shortage and indicated that they are only left with rice
stock of two weeks and there are dynamics are leading to starvation of masses and
government of Sri Lanka might collapse as well. PM Z. A Bhutto urgently sent 2 vessels
containing rice to Sri Lanka and ordered them to deliver before two weeks.

33
Ms. Saroja acclaimed the input of Pakistan and declared it as the highest and warmest
moment of their relation. She praised it as ‘Asian Way’ and admire this notion by stating
that we share many similar things apart from the fact that we have different faiths.
She also mentioned a story of her friend who was traveling at a cab with a Pakistani
driver who asked her friend about her country of origin. Upon her reply of being a Sri
Lankan, cab driver denied taking fare due to his love for the Sri Lankan cricket team.

She added that bilateral relation should be promoted and it is time for Asians to
airborne. She concluded by drawing attention towards the fact that this is an Asian
century and she hoped that cordial relations will be taken forward by the younger
generation.

Major General Shakeel Hussain (Retd)-Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to

Sri Lanka
Dear Excellences, worthy guests, ladies, and gentlemen,
Major General Shakeel Hussain began his speech by highlighting the fact that Pakistan
and Sri Lanka are two important South Asian nation-states due to their unique
geostrategic locations. Pakistan is the Indian Ocean’s transit route to Afghanistan and
Central Asia and eventually Europe, whereas Sri Lanka lies near major sea lanes in the
Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Thus, the tiny island state assumed greater importance in
the context of maritime trade and combating privacy. General Shakeel, who also served
as former ambassador of Pakistan to Sri Lanka expressed his speculations about
Chinese investments in a new port near the capital Colombo and further desires of
establishing a Free Trade zone along its ambitious ‘One Belt One Road’ geo-economic
project.
He stressed that despite geographical and religious barriers, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
have always been trusted-partners of each other with historical linkages dating back to
the period of Gandhara civilization, from the first to seventh century AD. Their friendship
strengthened during the war of 1971 when Pakistan’s jets were allowed to refuel on Sri
Lankan territory despite Indian furor. He added that the equation of trust and friendship
further developed during the crisis of Jaffna when Pakistan obliged to Sri Lankan
request for military aid and airlifted Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs) in an
emergency from Karachi to Colombo. This helped the Sri Lankan military to push back
LTTE rebels and secure Jaffna. He clarified that both countries not only share cultural
heritage but also have a shared history of internal instability created by the actives of
non-state actors. This, as a result, gave both nations an insight into each other’s
problems, stemming from internal and external players. He appended that, historically

34
Sri Lanka has never wanted India to dominate the region, both economically and
militarily. Thus, the resilient nature of both states in face of adversities and shared
objectives makes them natural allies.
Major General Shakeel asserted that the current dynamics of global politics, especially
maritime security architecture is changing at a fast pace. Due to a strategic location of
Sri Lanka, both countries are poised to become international trading hubs due to their
geographic location in the East-West sea corridor conduit for world economies. He was
of the view that the formation of new alliances comes with prospects of integration and
influx of economic activities if both states join hands.
He upheld the view that Sri Lanka is keen to further enhance bilateral trade and
economic relations with Pakistan as both countries have good potential to do trade in
many areas. Moreover, Pakistani products including pharmaceuticals, rice, fruits and
vegetables, steel, cement, garments, and textiles have huge potential in Sri Lanka and
similarly Sri Lankan tea, and ceramics have a great scope in Pakistan. The business
community of both countries needs to step up for efforts to realize all potential areas of
business cooperation. He underscored that countries had signed Free Trade
Agreements (FTAs) with China and SAARC countries and by enhancing cooperation,
Pakistan can get better access to huge markets of ASEAN and China.
He specified that the Indian Ocean is an ocean of strategic competition and strategic
convergence, and as a result of the region's strategic competition, Pakistan and Sri
Lanka should be much concerned about it. He listed the priorities, such as socio-
economic development, economic prosperity, technology acquisition in smaller states in
the Indian Ocean, and growing strategic relevance and influence in large States. He
said that the Indian Ocean is thus no longer a peaceful region and is becoming
increasingly disputed day by day. The world is in need of a continued supply of oil and
the ability to transport freight without any obstacles. He narrated the fact that at present,
50% of the world's shipping containers, 70% of world oil and 35% of high-economic and
thus economically relevant mass cargo and security concerns are in the Indian Ocean.
Former Ambassador also addressed the shifting unipolar order in the Indian Ocean to a
multipolar world, and asked what are we prepared for this change? Are we ready for
multilateral arrangements for security? What we see in the Indian Ocean right now is
the insecurity of one or several countries, and we must engage with an unnecessary
weapons race in the Indian Ocean.
He acknowledged that the Indian Ocean is an area of strategic mistrust and a strategic
deficit region. It is, therefore, the best time to talk and take action, not late.
Mr. Shakeel also affirmed that the animosity between India and Pakistan is a key
strategic concern for the Indian Ocean. Both countries are nuclear states and have
strong military forces and their military strength are in the process of modernizing. India
is concerned about Pakistan's partnership with China, which is Asia's strongest
economy and contributing to development projects in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,

35
Maldives, and Pakistan, among others. In addition, India is deeply concerned by the
theory of the strangulation of China's road belt initiative, which is the largest
infrastructure and connectivity project today, but its founder is a developing country,
China itself. Bearing in mind that the projected volume is one trillion USD, many see this
initiative as an opportunity to improve the maritime and regional connectivity
infrastructure. The World Bank states that only 5 percent of SAARC's GDP is linked,
which shows that infrastructure is inadequate.
He was also in agreement with the occurrence of Terrorism in the Indian Ocean as a
key issue of the region, especially when Sri Lanka suffering from maritime terrorism,
terrorists exploiting the shipping lanes and international marine trade ports throughout
the Indian Ocean for three decades. In the Indian Ocean, also the transnational crime of
human trafficking is an area of significant concern. Sri Lanka until the year 2012 was
seen as the hub for these practices, but it has not been in this category anymore. Other
apprehensions Mr. Shakeel called attention towards were illegal, unauthorized and
unreported fishing, which, according to UN estimates, is illegal and destructive of the
marine environment, represent 40 percent of total fishing.
He also mentioned the significance of Blue Economy as an obligation for Sri Lanka and
all other countries connected to the Indian Ocean. Moreover, there are benefits to Sri
Lanka but its position presents challenges too, such as high accessibility of sea
resources from a long seashore across the country, close proximity to major maritime
lines, sovereignty over an important marine zone as compared with land resources, a
wide range of coastal and marine ecosystems and high potential of tourism and
recreation industries are the major advantages for a Blue Economy. He identified that in
October 2015, the Government of Sri Lanka promoted the' Sri Lanka NEXT' Blue
Economy initiative, which could also be seen as a timely task. In addition, in its central
geographical position and the proximity of major waterways, the country aspires to
become a maritime hub in the area. He recommended that there are few steps should
be taken into consideration such as the country's image as a tourist destination has
been promoted with some success, with its unique maritime and coastal attraction.
However, Sri Lanka still has a viable Blue Economic strategy in place that combines the
strength of these efforts, despite these ad hoc efforts. He highlighted that Pakistan is
also working on many projects in Baluchistan so it can adopt similar lines to work for
progress and prosperity.
Major General Shakeel said while giving an account of the Chinese Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an ambitious project of regional connectivity and its
hoax controversy spread in India. It, therefore, continues to refuse to be a member of
the corridor and also cites issues of sovereignty. He also tallied a recent treaty, which
was signed by Japan, Australia, and the United States, entitled' Trilateral Infrastructure
Investment Partnership' and deemed it as a communication and fusion arrangement
between public and private investments in the Indian Ocean. Basically, digital
connectivity, energy infrastructure, and mutual development goals are to be bolstered.

36
In this situation, he emphasized that we need rule-based maritime order, respect for
international conventions, free movement, and flight, freedom of trade, and we wish to
counter maritime risks in order to safeguard maritime freedom. His recommendation
was a need for reciprocal security, deeper interoperability, and security cooperation
between all of India's actors to prevent the ocean from being dominated and other
people from imposing their sovereignty.
In his conclusion, he summed up by stating that it is better for both the states to
strengthen their economic ties and enhance their trade. In addition, Sri Lanka has
strategic importance in the periphery and there would be a time in the future when both
the states have to decide which side they would prefer as the Indian Ocean is occupied
with the influence of the greater powers. He asserted that both states should work to
strengthen security and economic ties with each other for a collective capacity and
capability to move from cooperation to collaboration with inclusive partnerships and an
integrated strategy and good governance at sea to maintain a rulebased maritime order.

His Excellency Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid-High Commissioner of

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Pakistan
His Excellency Mr. Noordeen Mohamed Shaheid - High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to
Pakistan commenced his speech by acknowledging the efforts of General Zahir Ul
Islam. His Excellency stated that he respects General Zahir Ul Islam as the shining star
who facilitated this program for all of us to celebrate Sri Lanka-Pakistan friendship and it
added significantly in the long term stable relationships between the two countries.
He greeted Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, General Shakeel
Hussain, and admired his statement that we need to put country’s relationship at a
higher level. He accentuated that he feels honored in to be amongst all the people
present in the hall to cherish the long-standing relations between both countries and
their masses.
He added that Honorable Minister Mr. Mehboob Sultan was also our chief guest at the
commemoration of the 71st independence day of Sri Lanka, made a historical statement
to develop relationships between both countries at a higher level.
His Excellency expressed his gratitude for the Center for Global and Strategic Studies,
its Chairman General Zahir Ul Islam and credited the success of this program to
Executive Director of CGSS Colonel Khalid. He also thanked the staff of CGSS for
contributing their efforts to make this event a success.
Mr. Noordeen highlighted the fact that Pakistan and Sri Lanka maintain cordial relations
since 1948. He stated that Pakistan achieved independence six months prior to Sri
Lanka but diplomatic relations between both commenced since the birth of Sri Lanka as
a nation-state in February 1948. He stressed that when Sri Lanka celebrates its
independence, the country also celebrates its seven decades of a worthy relationship

37
between both countries. A strong sense of mutual understanding and cooperation
always existed between both South Asian nations.
Message of the great founder of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam M. Ali
Jinnah, was quoted by His Excellency stating that:” Pakistan has the warmest goodwill
towards Celom and I am sanguine that the good feelings which exist between our two
peoples will be further strengthened as the years roll by and our common interest, and
mutual and reciprocal handling

of them, will bring us into still closer friendship“. His excellence highly praised the
Jinnah as a great man and his statement which according to him is still proximate to the
relations between both nations.
According to him, the strong relationship of Sri Lanka and Pakistan was founded by
several events occurring over a period of time. DS Senanayake, first Prime Minister of
Sri Lanka visited Pakistan right after attainment of country’s independence in 1948 and
he met Quaid-eAzam and since then high-level interactions and mutually supportive
relations continued with each other in different sectors including health, defense, trade,
education, and other social sectors. According to him, this friendship was sealed in
1971 when PM Sirimavo Bandaranayake Pakistan’s aircraft flights and refueling in the
midst of Indo-Pak war. It was a major risk which could have undermined Sri Lanka’s
relationship with India because Pakistan and India are great adversaries and India lies
in close geographical proximity to Sri Lanka. He added that nevertheless PM
Bandarnayake stood firm and took a bold decision by allowing Pakistan Airforce to
touchdown at Sri Lankan Airport. He was of the view that it was due to PM
Bandarnayake unprecedented gesture that both countries stood along each other in
thick and thin. He added that since then Pakistan has been generous and spontaneous
in her support to Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka responded back with sincere goodwill
towards Pakistan.
He stressed that Sri Lanka set the foundation of lasting friendship between both by
extending her support to Pakistan in times of need. The history of defense partnership
between both countries dates back to 1971, during the insurrections carried out by
Marxist-Leninist organization in Sri Lanka was curbed by Pakistan’s military assistance
on request of Sri Lankan leadership.
In principle, Sri Lanka had been in the forefront of the non-aligned movement cannot
enter into defense alliances with Pakistan or any other country, but the interesting
element of defense partnership between both countries is that it is solely driven by
mutual trust and friendship, said Mr. Noordeen Shaheid. He added that therefore the
military relationship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan carry a unique value to the
bilateral relationship between both countries.

38
Moreover, bilateral defense relations reached its peak during the LTT conflict in
Sri Lanka by openly helping Sri Lanka with weapons and training in Pakistan.
He upheld the valuable military assistance of Pakistan to Sri Lanka in times of war and
emphasized the fact that Pakistan played a decisive role in eliminating terrorist from the
sovereign land of Sri Lanka and we all are thankful for it. He added that in the midst of
close defense partnership between both countries, LTT attempt to murder Pakistan’s
High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Colonel Bashir Wali Muhammad, who narrowly
escaped the attack but it was a clear sign of the scale of the support by Pakistanis to
fight against LTT.
Pakistan still provides military training to Sri Lanka’s armed personnel’s at its premier
defense colleges and this sharing of defense resources can be seen as an epitome of
cooperation between two states in an anarchic regional system. Although both states do
not have a formal agreement between Sri Lanka and Pakistan which dictates the terms
and conditions of military training arrangements, and training provided by Pakistan to Sri
Lanka has always been mutual friendship and understanding between the defense
establishment of both countries. He acknowledged Pakistan’s generous support to Sri
Lanka to combat terrorism.
He recalled the visit of President Zia-ul-Haq to Sri Lanka and his pledge to provide all
required military hardware to combat the terrorists. He also quoted a statement from
biography of Army Chief General Tissa Weeratunga who narrated the meeting between
President Zia-ul-Haq and his Sri Lankan counterpart stating that “it was inquisitive to
know the time gap between such a request and delivery, he added that General Zia-ul-
Haq clasped my hand and gave me his contact number and asked me to ring any time
of the day and the only delay in reinforcements will be the loading and flight time from
Pakistan to Sri Lanka”.
His Excellency commended this as a great gesture, whereas trade between both
countries represents the key aspect of enduring relationship of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
He also highlighted the fact that Pakistan is Sri Lanka’s second biggest trading partner
in South Asia.

Both countries signed several trade agreements since their inception and consequently,
in 2005, the first free trade agreement was signed between them. However, the
economic relationship between both countries has not shown great progress as
envisioned by the bilateral agreement.

39
Sri Lanka once used to be the main source of tea in Pakistan, said by Mr. Noordeen. He
added that Pakistan is a top tea consuming nation and Sri Lanka is known for its quality
tea production but the trade ratio of this commodity did not reach the expected level.
However, Sir Lankan High Commission in Pakistan is trying to promote Si Lankan Tea
in Pakistan and declared the year 2019 as ‘Year of Celom Tea Promotion’.
Along with Sri Lankan tea, His Excellency also endorsed the tourism potential of both
countries. He deemed that both nation-states possess a wide array of tourist attractions
from deserts to snow lands and religious sites such as the number of Buddhist heritage
sites nearby Taxila. He was of the view that in order to meet the optimum level of
tourism between both countries, the proliferation of connectivity channels and airlines
are needed to be enhanced. He told the audience that currently there isn’t any direct
flight from Sri Lanka to Islamabad and a similar issue was discussed upon Sri Lankan
President’s visit to Pakistan that in order to promote the religious tourism direct flights
should be started between capital cities of both nations.
By concluding his speech he said that there is a need to revisit the contents of free
trade agreement and identify new avenues of business between two countries. In
addition, businessmen and entrepreneurs should be made aware of potential business
opportunities such as the power and energy sector, gems and jewels, hospitality and
tourism industry. He also stressed that free-trade agreement should be revised and
expanded from goods to services sector and investments. Given the goodwill prevailing
between the two countries, there is much potential for future growth.
In the end, he inferred that Sri Lanka and Pakistan have natural love and affection and
whenever we meet each other, it is explicitly clear from our facial expression and
attitude towards each other. Therefore this relation should be taken to another
generation so that this friendship will continue forever.

40
Conclusion.
Colombo‘s relationship with Pakistan began with a marked desire on both sides to have
mutual and cordial relations, their common perception of threat from India, has however
cemented their enhanced relationship today. By forging a close relationship with
Islamabad, Colombo was apparently able to check Indian authority, with greater political
strength. While Pakistan may have a gained certain advantage by its ties with Colombo
but its ability to stand on its own in Sri Lanka is doubtful given that Sri Lanka will not be
able to completely turn hostile to India. Also the fact that Pakistan which does not have
the international clout as India today and it would not be any help in sustaining Sri
Lanka‘s long term strategic interest. India, on its part, without worrying about the
Colombo relations with Islamabad needs to endure its ties with Sri Lanka in order to
retain its strategic and security interest in the region.

China has defended Sri Lanka in the international arena, including the UNHRC, and
would continue to do so. This assurance was given during the high-level visit of Senior
Ambassador Yang Jiechito Colombo, and was demonstrated in practice at the UNHRC
through the resolution submitted by Chinese Permanent Representative in Geneva,
Ambassador Chen Xu, explaining how “China oppose(s) politicisation and double
standards on human rights, as well as using human rights as an excuse for interfering in
other countries’ internal affairs”.
In the end, he inferred that Sri Lanka and Pakistan have natural love and affection and
whenever we meet each other, it is explicitly clear from our facial expression and
attitude towards each other. Therefore this relation should be taken to another
generation so that this friendship will continue forever.

41
References:
• (Second Quarter 1985), p. 106. 3. ibid. 4. When India withdrew landing and overflying
rights for Pakistani planes, Colombo granted these rights to Pakistan International
Airlines (PIA) at Pakistan's request.
• 5. Refer http://slhcpak.org/news/25-11-2007_SL_Pak.html. 6. Dawn, 1 0 December 1
956. 7. Morning News, 6 September 1974. Cited in Sabiha Hasan, Pakistan-Sri Lanka
Relations, Pakistan Horizon, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Second Quarter 1985), p. 1
• 12. 8. See Joint Communique, State visit to Pakistan of Chandrika Bandaranaike
Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka, February 10, 2005, Policy Research & Information
Unit of the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka at
http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca200502/20050210state_
visit_pakistan.htm
• 9. See Pakistan Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joint Statement, Visit to
Pakistan of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, Press Release No.
131/2006, 2006 at http://www.mofa.gov.pk/Press_Releases/April/PR_131_06.html.
• 10. Refer Pak-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement at
http://www.commerce.gov.pk/?page_id=215
• 11. Refer Pakistan-Sri Lanka trade relations at http://www.slcgkhi.com/psfta.html
• 12. See ―Trade Volume Between Pakistan And Sri Lanka Could Exceed US $ 1 Billion,‖
The Sunday Leader, at http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/12/18/tradevolume-
between-pakistan-and-sri-lanka-could-exceed-us-1-billion/
• 13. ―Pakistan mulls joint venture projects with Sri Lanka,‖ Khabar South Asia,
December 06, 2012 at
http://khabarsouthasia.com/en_GB/articles/apwi/articles/newsbriefs/2012/12
/06/newsbrief-02
• 14. ―Enhanced interaction among Pak, Lankan trade bodies emphasized,‖ The Nation,
March 13, 2014 at http://www.nation.com.pk/business/13-Mar-
2014/enhancedinteraction-among-pak-lankan-trade-bodies-emphasised
• 15. ―Pakistan Buddhist Begin Celebration,‖ Toledo Blade, February 27, 1956 , p. 3 at
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19560227&id=6VZIAAAAIBA
J&sjid=uAAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4641,4637771
• 16. Museum - The Sacred Hair Relics of Lord Buddha at
http://www.bba.org.bd/chittagong-buddhist-monastery/museum.html
• 17. Sabiha Hasan, Pakistan-Sri Lanka Relations, Pakistan Horizon, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Second
Quarter 1985), p.126.

42
• 18. Sri Lanka and Pakistan also signed a bilateral cultural agreement in December 1973
with the focus on improving tourism between the two countries. Consequently, in May
1976 both countries agreed to organize and launch joint publicity campaign for tourism
promotion and to participate jointly in international tourist and travel conventions and
conferences.
• 19. ―Sri Lankan Airlines wants more routes in Pakistan,‖ The Express Tribune, July 7,
2012 at http://tribune.com.pk/story/404777/srilankan-airlines-wants-moreroutes-in-
pakistan/
• 20. Package includes complimentary airport pick and drop; complimentary stadium pick
& drop on match days; accommodation twin sharing bases with bread & breakfast; air-
conditioned transport during tours; and city and resort tours with English speaking tour
guides. See ―PIA resumes flights to Colombo,‖ Daily Financial Times, February 21, 2011
at http://www.ft.lk/2011/02/21/piaresumes-flights-to-colombo/
• 21. ―Pakistan puts Buddhist tourism back on track,‖ Sify News, Mar 30, 2010 at
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=38,9038,0,0,1,0#.UzEvW1KKDIU
• 22. Shamindra Ferdinando, ―The Zia factor in Sri Lanka, Pakistan relationship War on
terror revisited,‖ The Island, June 13, 2013 at
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-
details&page=articledetails&code_title=81196 23. P K Balachandran, ―Pak envoy to SL
• 14, 2006 at http://www.hindustantimes.com/news-feed/nm15/pak-envoy-to-slescapes-
life-bid/article1-137729.aspx
• 24. ―Pak played key role in Lanka's victory over Tamil Tigers,‖ Indian Express, May 28
2009 at http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/pak-played-key-role-in-lankasvictory-
over-tamil-tigers/467482/
• 25. M.R. Narayan Swamy, ―Sri Lanka‘s SOS to Pakistan for urgent arms supplies,‖
Thaindian, February 4, 2008 at
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/sri-lankas-sos-topakistan-for-
urgent-arms-supplies_10033531.html
• 26. Hafeez-ur-Rahman Khan, ―Ceylon—Pakistan's Valued Neighbour,‖ Pakistan Horizon,
Vol. 15, No. 1 (First Quarter), 1962, pp. 49.
• 27. ―Pak played key role in Lanka's victory over Tamil Tigers,‖ Indian Express, May
• 28, 2009 at http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/pak-played-key-role-inlankas-
victory-over-tamil-tigers/467482/ 28. ibid.
• 29. Saurabh Shukla, ―Pakistan's help to Sri Lanka for Nuclear plant alarms India,‖ India
Today, July 24, 2012, http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-help-tolanka-for-n--plant-
alarms-india/1/209895.html

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