Two sides discuss shared interests and agree to enhance Pakistan–Sri Lanka cooperation in other sports as well
Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met Sri Lanka’s Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sunil Kumara Gamage, with both sides agreeing to enhance cooperation in sports, particularly cricket.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed, focusing on promoting bilateral collaboration through sports. It was decided that Pakistan and Sri Lanka would strengthen cooperation in cricket and other sports in coordination with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Sports.
“Warmth is returning to Pakistan–Sri Lanka relations,” said Naqvi, adding that cricket and other sports would further strengthen bilateral ties. He also praised the arrangements made during the T20 World Cup, commending Sri Lanka’s management of the event. “I received great affection in Sri Lanka.
I thank them for their wonderful hospitality,” he said, while extending an invitation to his Sri Lankan counterpart to visit Pakistan.
Naqvi susequently also met Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Anand Wijepala, with both sides agreeing to enhance cooperation in internal security, counterterrorism, narcotics control and cybercrime.
The two countries decided to strengthen coordination against illegal immigration and financial fraud, and explore joint training programmes for police and paramilitary forces, including officer exchanges through Pakistan’s National Police Academy.
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Last week, Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, wherein it was decided that the interior minister will visit Sri Lanka to deliver a special message from the prime minister to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The development comes amid recent diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Sri Lankan President Dissanayake had earlier urged Pakistan to honour its T20 World Cup fixture against India, recalling Islamabad’s support for Sri Lankan cricket during challenging times.
The government later directed the Pakistan national team to take the field “to protect the spirit of cricket”, reversing an earlier decision to boycott the match over the removal of Bangladesh from the tournament.
