ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: President Asif Ali Zardari extended heartfelt congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, as well as the government and people of Sri Lanka, on the occasion of their 78th Independence Day. Speaking on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, President Zardari highlighted the significance of this day, which embodies the unity and pride of the Sri Lankan nation and celebrates their enduring journey shaped by a rich cultural heritage and resilience.
He emphasized the strong bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, underscoring their shared history of support during challenging times. The president praised the role of Pakistan’s armed forces in aiding Sri Lanka to confront terrorism, citing this collaboration as an example of their steadfast partnership.
The president also acknowledged Sri Lanka’s contributions to South Asian cooperation, noting its role as host of the 6th, 10th, and 15th SAARC summits. Expressing regret over the stalled progress of SAARC meetings, he attributed the delay to India’s decision to avoid participating due to scheduling conflicts with Pakistan hosting the next summit.
President Zardari expressed his optimism that Sri Lanka and Pakistan would continue to work together for South Asian security and the revival of SAARC. Emphasizing the longstanding and fraternal relations between the two nations, he expressed confidence that their friendship and cooperation would only strengthen as they strive to deepen bilateral ties in the future.
