Grand reception on board Pakistan naval ship SAIF

Friday, 10 November 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A colourful reception was held on board Pakistan naval ship SAIF, anchored at the Colombo dockyard this week.

Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The reception was attended by the Minister for Skills Development and Vocational Training Chandima Weerakkody, State Minister for National Integration and Reconciliation A.H.M. Fowzie, Secretary of Defence Kapila Waidyaratne, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Army Commander Major General Mahesh Senanayake, Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra, officers of the High Commission and a large number of people from different spheres of life as well as media representatives.

While welcoming the guests, the commander of the ship Captain Shahzad Iqbal said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had strong ties and both navies engaged in multilayered cooperation. The visit is a manifestation of the strong diplomatic, economic, cultural and defence relations between the two friendly countries and was aimed at further strengthening these existing bonds, he highlighted.

He elaborated that Pakistan was proud that a number of Sri Lankan Navy officers and sailors had undergone a range of courses in Pakistan. He thanked the Sri Lankan Government and its people for sending the Sri Lankan cricket squad, who has won the hearts of the Pakistani people in Lahore. He said that Pakistan always stood with Sri Lanka and would continue its support in the future as well.

Later on, a cake commemorating Pakistan-Sri Lanka friendship was jointly cut by ministers, the Defence Secretary, the Chief of Defence Staff, Army Chief, Acting High Commissioner Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra and Pakistan Defence Advisor Colonel Sajjad Ali.

During their stay in Colombo from 5-8 November, the officers and men of the PNS SAIF to participated in various professional and sports activities with the Sri Lankan Navy.Ignatque officim iliquatia a dolo el