Pakistan, Sri Lanka express concern over Gaza situation

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have shared grave concerns about the ongoing escalation of violence and military action in Gaza which has resulted in deaths and injuries to many innocent civilians and children causing a grave humanitarian situation, a statement said.

The concerns were raised during a discussion between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on the side-lines of the ‘One Belt – One Road’ international conference in China on Tuesday.

Both leaders called upon all parties to the conflict for immediate cessation of violence to prevent further civilian casualties, a joint statement said. They also called for the opening of a humanitarian corridor to help those under siege in Gaza with essential food, water, and medical supplies.

They further stressed the necessity of achieving a political solution to the prolonged conflict in Gaza and appealed to all parties concerned to seek avenues to resolve the conflict through negotiations based on a two-state solution.