Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar meets Sri Lankan Deputy Minister
COLOMBO – Pakistan and Sri Lanka have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in sports and expanding people-to-people engagement, following a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, and Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sugath Thilakarathne.
The meeting, held in Islamabad, was also attended by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Rear Admiral Fred Senewiratne, Deputy High Commissioner Christie Robin, and Minister Counsellor (Defence) Brigadier G.A.K.R. Gunaratne.
Both sides held detailed discussions on cricket promotion, wider sports development, and expanding bilateral ties through enhanced collaboration. Officials agreed that sports remain a powerful tool for strengthening cultural understanding and fostering closer links between the two nations, especially among youth.
Tarar said Pakistan–Sri Lanka relations are rooted in “trust, respect, and shared values”, noting that greater cooperation in sports will bring younger generations closer and deepen longstanding ties. He highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing initiatives to promote sports diplomacy in the region and expressed appreciation to the Sri Lankan government for its continued support.
He also underscored the significance of Deputy Minister Thilakarathne’s visit, despite the ongoing budget session in the Sri Lankan Parliament, calling it “a clear manifestation of the enduring friendship and mutual confidence between the two countries”/ Tarar added that the visit is expected to open new avenues of cooperation in youth engagement and sports development.
The Sri Lankan delegation expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by Pakistan during the ongoing Tri-Nation Series. They noted that Sri Lankan players and officials had been commended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at a special luncheon held for the participating teams. The delegation also praised Pakistan’s commitment to nurturing sports diplomacy and the smooth arrangements overseen by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
-ENCL
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