Pakistan High Commission Launches Book: “An Enduring Friendship; Sri Lanka and Pakistan” to coincide with National Day

8 September 2017 10:21 am Photos Nirmala Dhananjaya The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been linked since ancient times, a link which is now 2,300 years old. In 1948, shortly after Independence of Sri Lanka, this link was revived and reborn when the founding father of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake travelled to Pakistan to meet the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid i Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He underscored that whenever Pakistan needed Sri Lanka has always been there. Similarly whenever Sir Lanka needed Pakistan, Pakistan has always been there. Speaker of Sri Lankan Parliament Hon. Karu Jayasooriya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Guests of honour included former Sri Lankan Presidents Hon. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister for International Trade, Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, Minister for Commerce and Industry Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister for Primary Industries Hon. Daya Gamage, Minister of State for National Integration and Reconciliation Hon. A.H.M. Fowzie, Minister of State for Rehabilitation and Resettlement Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Deputy Minister for Petroleum Resources Development Hon. Anoma Gamage, and Former Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris. Heads of diplomatic Missions, renowned scholars, intelligencia, representatives of universities, think tanks, and analysts, senior government officials, former Sri Lankan Ambassadors and a large number of people from difference walks of life attended the ceremony as distinguished guests. Acting High Commissioner Dr. Sarfraz Sipra emphasized that bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been an important part of this region. It needs to be comprehensively studied and evaluated. The book narrates the story of this beautiful relationship in a beautiful manner. Editor of the book, Dr. Sinha Raja Tammita Delgoda thanked Government of Pakistan, Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka for recognizing the value of this initiative. Please click on the link below to read full article., https://www.magzter.com/LK/Wijeya-Newspapers-Ltd./Lanka-Woman/Women’s-Interest/