Will take up drug issue at next SAARC: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said that he would call for regional cooperation in fighting drugs and narcotics smuggling as the drug menace was harming the youth in the region.

He expressed the view when the visiting Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman met the President in Colombo today.

President Sirisena added that he would call for such cooperation at the next Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

At the meeting Air Chief Marshal Aman said Pakistan and Sri Lanka were historically bonded in a relationship of trust, mutual respect and deep friendship.

He said that the two brotherly countries had an excellent record of defence sector cooperation.

He also conveyed the warm regards from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, to President Sirisena and the people of Sri Lanka.

He appreciated the efforts of the Sri Lankan Government in defeating the menace of terrorism in Sri Lanka and reiterated Pakistan’s continuous and unflinching support to Sri Lanka at all fora.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman also briefed the President on current disturbances in Indian held Kashmir.

Maithripala Sirisena thanked Pakistan for the continuous assistance given to Sri Lanka for training of air force personnel. He also strongly appreciated the all-out support extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka at the international fora.

The President said Pakistan had proved to be a true friend of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan government as well as the people had deep affection for Pakistan.

The President said that he is determined to call for regional cooperation for prevention of drugs and narcotics smuggling as the drug menace was harming the youth.

He added that he would call for such cooperation at the next Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Air Force Commander Gagana Bulathsinhala and Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Shakeel Hussain were also present.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman is in Sri Lanka on a two day official visit on the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal G.P Bulattsinghala.