A three-member delegation from the National Federation of Journalists (NFJ) visited the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Islamabad, engaging in a productive discussion with Admiral (R) Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka. The delegation, led by Senior Vice President Aamir Rafiq Butt, included Secretary General Abid Siddique Chaudhry and Joint Secretary Adnan Hameed, focused on fostering stronger media collaboration between the two nations.
High Commissioner Wijegunaratne warmly welcomed the NFJ delegation, expressing his strong commitment to enhancing cooperation between the media communities of Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He emphasized the deep-rooted ties between the two countries, stating, “Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been steadfast allies, always supporting each other during difficult times. The people of Sri Lanka deeply value Pakistan’s support, and the love shared between our nations is immense.”
The conversation also touched upon the cultural and sporting links between the two countries, particularly through cricket. The High Commissioner highlighted the upcoming Champions Trophy, which will feature teams from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India. “This event will celebrate our strong sporting bonds, with global attention on the tournament,” he said.
When asked about the Muslim population in Sri Lanka by NFJ Secretary General Abid Siddique Chaudhry, Admiral Wijegunaratne explained that Muslims make up 11% of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people, living peacefully alongside other religious communities. He praised the Muslim community for its significant contributions to Sri Lanka’s social and economic landscape.
On the topic of air connectivity, the High Commissioner mentioned that while Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) no longer operates flights to Colombo, SriLankan Airlines offers regular flights from Lahore to Colombo. He emphasized the importance of improving air links to encourage greater tourism and business exchanges between the two nations.
Admiral Wijegunaratne also spoke about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), calling it a “game-changer” for Pakistan’s economy. He noted its potential to benefit the broader region through enhanced infrastructure, trade, and connectivity.
The High Commissioner also announced the restoration of Sri Lanka’s online visa service, which had been suspended due to technical reasons. Despite the suspension, special arrangements were made for 120 Pakistani travelers to receive visas on arrival. He reiterated Sri Lanka’s eagerness to welcome more Pakistani tourists, further strengthening people-to-people ties.
In a gesture of mutual appreciation, the NFJ delegation presented a commemorative shield to the High Commissioner, who in turn gifted a book to the members of the delegation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further enhance media collaboration and deepen the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Both sides expressed optimism about future journalist exchanges and collaborative media projects aimed at promoting greater understanding between the two countries.
