Commander Extends Courtesies to Pakistan's President during Tour

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army during his recent official tour to Pakistan at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), had the rare privilege of extending courtesies to HE the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Presidential Palace, Red Zone, Islamabad Capital Territory.

During the cordial meeting that ensued, the President had reportedly remarked that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have bravely faced the menace of terrorism and maintain exemplary relations. "Pakistan is proud of its friendship with Sri Lanka and we are having close cooperation with our sincere friends in different fields," a Presidential Press Release issued in this connection had gone on record.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army thanked the President for his audience and opined that bilateral cooperation between the two countries will further grow in future. The same Press Release said that the Commander expressed his happiness over hospitality, extended during his stay and had gone on record saying that Pakistan, being the cradle of Buddhism is also a shared heritage of both nations.

The visiting Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake and the Pakistan’s President, Hon Mamnoon Hussain towards the end of their cordial talks exchanged mementos as symbols of goodwill and cooperation.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake at the invitation of his counterpart, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Army was in Pakistan during the final week of April and visited several military establishments and ordnance factories after formal talks he has had with his counterpart at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

Lieutenant General Senanayake also had the golden opportunity of meeting with Hon. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Red Zone, Islamabad Capital Territory.