Sri Lanka, Pakistan discuss defence ties

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, who is on a five-day official visit to Sri Lanka, met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena here on Monday and discussed defence cooperation between the two countries.

The Pakistani army chief and Sirisena also discussed cooperation and collaboration between the two countries on issues pertaining to regional security, and emphasised the importance of working closely to ensure mutual interests in security activities, Geo News quoted a government statement as saying here.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have a comprehensive and mutually beneficial military training collaboration and both countries have committed to work closely in all fields to boost cooperation and peace efforts in the region.

Gen. Sharif arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday on the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart Lt. Gen. A.W.J.C. De Silva. The five-day visit is his first to the Indian Ocean island.

During his visit, the Pakistani army chief is also expected to meet Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and top leaders of Sri Lanka's armed forces.