Both sides discuss common interests and agree to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in other sports as well.
Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi met with Sri Lankan Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage with both sides agreeing to strengthen cooperation in the field of sports, particularly cricket.
During the meeting, issues of mutual interest were discussed, with emphasis on promoting bilateral collaboration through sport. It was decided that Pakistan and Sri Lanka would strengthen their cooperation in cricket and other sports in coordination with the Ministry of Sports of Sri Lanka.
“The heat is returning to Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations,” Naqvi said, adding that cricket and other sports would further strengthen bilateral ties. He also lauded the arrangements made during the T20 World Cup, commending Sri Lanka’s handling of the event. “I received great affection in Sri Lanka.
I thank them for their wonderful hospitality,” he said, while inviting his Sri Lankan counterpart to visit Pakistan.
Naqvi then also met Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Anand Wijepala, with both sides agreeing to strengthen cooperation on internal security, counter-terrorism, drug control and cybercrime.
The two countries agreed to strengthen coordination against illegal immigration and financial fraud, and explore joint training programs for police and paramilitary forces, including officer exchanges through the Pakistan National Police Academy.
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Last week, Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which it was decided that the Interior Minister would visit Sri Lanka to convey a special message from the Prime Minister to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
This development comes within the framework of recent diplomatic engagements between the two countries. Sri Lankan President Dissanayake had earlier urged Pakistan to honor their T20 World Cup match against India, recalling Islamabad’s support for Sri Lankan cricket in difficult times.
The government then ordered the Pakistan national team to take the field “to protect the spirit of cricket”, reversing an earlier decision to boycott the match following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament.
