Pakistan, Sri Lanka agree to enhance security, anti-narcotics and cybercrime cooperation
COLOMBO: Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Monday agreed to deepen cooperation in internal security, counterterrorism, counternarcotics and cybercrime, as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held high-level meetings with Sri Lankan leadership in Colombo.
Naqvi met Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage, and Secretary of Defence Sampatha Thuyacontha during his visit.
At the Ministry of Public Security, Wijepala accorded a warm welcome to the Pakistani minister. In their meeting, the two sides discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in internal security, counterterrorism and efforts to combat narcotics trafficking.
They also exchanged views on developing a joint strategy to counter cybercrime and financial fraud networks.
Both ministers agreed to strengthen institutional collaboration between the interior ministries of the two countries and improve coordination to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Matters relating to joint training programmes for police and paramilitary forces also came under discussion.
Naqvi offered training opportunities for Sri Lankan police officers at Pakistan’s National Police Academy and said officer exchange programmes would help enhance professional capacity and open new avenues of cooperation.
He underscored the need to expand collaboration to effectively tackle cybercrime and financial crimes.
The Pakistani minister invited his Sri Lankan counterpart to visit Pakistan and thanked the Sri Lankan authorities for their hospitality.
Wijepala termed the visit a matter of pleasure for Sri Lanka and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to promoting cooperation with Pakistan in areas of mutual interest.
In a separate meeting with Sports Minister Gamage, discussions focused on boosting cooperation in sports, particularly cricket. The two sides agreed to strengthen collaboration between their respective sports ministries and promote bilateral engagement in cricket and other sports.
Naqvi appreciated the arrangements made during the T20 World Cup and thanked the Sri Lankan authorities for their support and hospitality. He also extended an invitation to the Sri Lankan sports minister to visit Pakistan.
During his meeting with Defence Secretary Thuyacontha, both sides reviewed Pakistan-Sri Lanka security cooperation and defence matters, reaffirming their resolve to further enhance bilateral security ties.
The Sri Lankan defence secretary noted that Sri Lanka had also been a victim of terrorism and expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support in its fight against militancy.
Naqvi said security relations between the two countries had remained strong and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd.) Faheem Ul Aziz, Adviser to the Chairman PCB Amir Mir, Chief Operating Officer Sameer Ahmed and PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer were also present. Monitoring Desk
