Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi assured President Maithripala Sirisena that Pakistan would continue the assistance provided to Sri Lanka.

The Pakistani Prime Minister further said that Pakistan will commit to take the economic and trade relationship between the two countries to a stronger level through new a new approach.

The Pakistani Prime Minister made these remarks when he met the President Maithripala Sirisena who is in New York to attend the 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations. 

During this meeting both leaders recalled the long-standing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan and emphasized the need to further consolidation the relationship.

President Sirisena stated that former Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif is a good friend of him and recalled the friendly cooperation of Mr. Sharif towards him and Sri Lanka. The President appreciated assistance provided by Pakistan to Sri Lanka as a true friend, during the period of conflict in the country.

He also expressed special thanks for the assistance given by Pakistan to Sri Lanka in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The two leaders discussed about the ways to promote economic and commercial relations between the two countries. They focused on the fields of gas and oil.

Sri Lankan President and Pakistani Premier agreed to promote tourism and continue the cooperation in security affairs.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan emphasized that Pakistan is ready to assist Sri Lanka’s development activities whenever required.