Sri Lanka lauds Pakistan's support, both sides pledge deeper security ties

COLOMBO: Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday appreciated Pakistan’s support during “difficult times” as he met a visiting Pakistani delegation in Colombo.

Sharing details of the meeting on X, the Sri Lankan president said he had met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain. “We reaffirmed our enduring friendship [and] appreciated Pakistan’s support to Sri Lanka during difficult times,” he wrote.

Dissanayake added that the Pakistani delegation conveyed special thanks from Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Sri Lanka’s timely intervention when Pakistan’s participation in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup had become uncertain.

Days before the tournament, Pakistan had indicated it would not play its group-stage match against India following regional tensions and logistical changes. Subsequently, Sri Lanka Cricket urged Pakistan to reconsider, warning that a boycott could result in financial losses and adversely affect Sri Lanka’s recovering tourism industry.

After consultations and requests from several cricketing boards, Pakistan withdrew its decision on February 9. Prior to that, President Dissanayake had telephoned Prime Minister Shehbaz, urging him to allow the match to proceed. Following Pakistan’s reversal, the Sri Lankan president publicly thanked the premier for ensuring that the high-profile fixture would go ahead as planned in Colombo.

Joint Strategy Against Cybercrime, Terrorism and Drug Trafficking

Separately, Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to develop a joint strategy to combat cybercrime and financial fraud mafias during talks between Mohsin Naqvi and Sri Lankan Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala.

According to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in internal security, counterterrorism and anti-narcotics operations. They agreed to enhance institutional collaboration between their interior ministries and improve coordination to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

Naqvi offered training opportunities for Sri Lankan police officers at Pakistan’s National Police Academy and proposed officer exchange programmes to build professional capacity and deepen bilateral engagement. He also emphasised expanding cooperation to counter cyber and financial crimes effectively.

Enhanced Defence and Sports Cooperation

The Pakistani interior minister also met Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampatha Thuyacontha, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral security and defence cooperation. The Sri Lankan side acknowledged its own experience as a victim of terrorism and appreciated Pakistan’s support in counterterrorism efforts.

In addition, Naqvi met Sri Lankan Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage to explore enhanced collaboration in sports, particularly cricket. Both sides agreed to strengthen ties between their respective sports ministries and promote greater cooperation in cricket and other disciplines.

Naqvi lauded the arrangements for the T20 World Cup and thanked Sri Lankan authorities for their hospitality while extending invitations for reciprocal visits to Pakistan.