Sri Lanka and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to regional security and strategic cooperation as the 5th Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue officially commenced in Islamabad on April 28. The high-level dialogue marks a significant step in strengthening longstanding defence ties between the two South Asian nations.
The Sri Lankan delegation is led by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) and includes Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Commander of the Navy, and Jayantha Edirisinghe, Additional Secretary (Defence) at the Ministry of Defence. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali (Retd), Secretary Defence of Pakistan.
As part of the dialogue, Air Vice Marshal Thuyacontha also held a sideline meeting with Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, on April 29. These discussions focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, sharing perspectives on regional security dynamics, and identifying areas for future collaboration.
The three-day dialogue concludes on April 30 and underscores the shared strategic interests of Sri Lanka and Pakistan in promoting regional peace and security. Both countries emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation to address evolving challenges and foster mutual trust.
Rooted in decades of diplomatic and military collaboration, the Sri Lanka-Pakistan defence relationship continues to be a pillar of broader regional engagement, reflecting both nations’ aspirations for stability and development in South Asia.
