Pakistan Army’s Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani NI (M) HI, now on a three-day goodwill visit to Sri Lanka, called on his Sri Lanka’s counterpart, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Army Headquarters Thursday (20) morning.
General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Army with his six-member delegation, comprised of his spouse, Mrs Begum Zahida Kayani arrived in Sri Lanka Wednesday (19) evening following an invitation, extended by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army.
The visiting Pakistani Army Chief on arrival at the Army Headquarters was warmly received by Lieutenant Colonel Sunil Ariyaratne, Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion at Army Headquarters, and conducted to inspect the Guard Turn Out at the entrance to the premises, in accordance with military traditions.
Minutes after the inspection, the visiting Pakistani Army Chief was conducted to the saluting dais by Major General S. W. L. Daulagala, Colonel of the Gajaba Regiment (GR), to receive the salute in the Guard of Honour, provided by GR soldiers.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, awaiting the visiting Chief Guest’s arrival at the main porch, afterwards cordially welcomed him, and conducted him to his office after introducing General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to his Principal Staff Officers at Army Headquarters.
Cordial discussions that ensued afterwards between both Army Chiefs at Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya’s office centered largely on military matters of mutual and regional interest and possibilities for sharing experience and strategies in the successful Wanni Humanitarian Operations against separatist terrorists.
The meeting also explored avenues of receiving more and more training opportunities for Sri Lankan officers in Pakistan, in addition to ongoing training programmes.
Lieutenant General Jayasuriya and General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani during discussions also focused on reviving the old practice of exchanging sport programmes between the two organizations as it occurred in the past, since such approaches would further help broaden bilateral understanding and goodwill among officers.
Towards the end of the interaction, Lieutenant General Jayasuriya presented a special memento to General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff after he symbolically placed his signature on the VIP book at Commander’s office. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani reciprocated and offered his sincere thanks to the Sri Lankan counterpart before he left the Army Headquarters to attend the remainder of the day’s itinerary.
Later on, the visiting Army Chief arrived at Prime Minister’s Office to call on Hon Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne where both of them had a brief exchange of views on matters of bilateral concern.
The next stop for the visiting Pakistani Army Chief was the Ministry of Defence. Secretary Defence Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa warmly received the visiting Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, accompanied by the Commander of the Army. A brief discussion on matters of international importance and strategic relevance between Mr Rajapaksa and General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani followed afterwards during their formal interaction at the office of the Secretary Defence where exchange of mementos took place. The visiting Army Chief gave an enthusiastic hearing to the Secretary Defence as he narrated the recent story to victory against terrorism.
During the latter part of the day, the visiting Pakistani Chief also called on Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Air Force and Vice Admiral D. W. A. S. Dissanayake, Commander of the Navy where they exchanged views on security matters of regional and other interest.
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