Pakistan's COAS Extends Warm Reception to His Sri Lankan Counterpart

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa extended a warm welcome to Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, when the latter recently made a formal courtesy call on his host at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

On arrival at GHQ, the visiting General Shavendra Silva paid his tribute to fallen War Heroes of the Armed Forces at first at Yadgar-e-Shuhada monument after laying a floral wreath before he was honoured in a smartly-clad elegant Guard of Honour parade, presented by an Army contingent.

Friendly and warm discussions that ensued between the duo focused largely on security and enhanced defence co-operation, regional security issues and several other matters of mutual interest.

General Shavendra Silva acknowledged Pakistan's sustained efforts for promotion of peace prospects in the region and bilateral relations as a true friend of Sri Lanka and her unfailing support throughout whenever the country was faced with challenging endeavours. "Your continued support for enhancement of professional capabilities of Sri Lankan armed forces is commended and very much valued" General Silva said.

General Shavendra Silva was invited by his Pakistan counterpart to attend Pakistan Day celebrations also known as the National Day Joint Services Parade on 25th March as the Guest of Honour. The prestigious National Day Joint Services Parade in Pakistan epitomizes Pakistan’s aspirations and achievements and was attended by the President of Pakistan and a host of national and foreign dignitaries, inclusive of foreign military contingents who joined join the martial display on the day.

The visiting General Shavendra Silva expressed his gratitude to the armed forces of Pakistan for the invitation and assured that prevailing bonds of goodwill and understanding between Sri Lanka and Pakistan would continue to bolster further.

“Sri Lankans very well remember the whole-hearted support you have been lending all the time by means of every possible channel of assistance and the marked contribution Pakistan’s armed forces have made towards the promotion of infrastructure of the armed forces of Sri Lanka since the 1980s. This bilateral defence cooperation has enabled both armies to broaden their horizons of professionalism, as seen in the military exercise ‘Shake Hands’, currently underway in Sri Lanka,” General Shavendra Silva was quoted saying.

Bringing cordial discussion to end, General Shavendra Silva presented a memento to his host, General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Asics shoes | NIKE