Sri Lankan president cancels Pakistan visit amid political turmoil

Published August 20, 2014
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa. — File photo
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa. — File photo
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Canada-based preacher Tahir-ul-Qadri (C) is surrounded by Pakistani supporters as he addresses demonstrators in front of the Parliament during the "Revolution March" protest in Islamabad on August 20, 2014. Pakistan's parliament met on August 20, 2014 as thousands of protesters gathered outside demanding the government resign in a week-long political drama that has shaken the restive nuclear-armed nation. Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri led followers in a late-night march o
Canada-based preacher Tahir-ul-Qadri (C) is surrounded by Pakistani supporters as he addresses demonstrators in front of the Parliament during the "Revolution March" protest in Islamabad on August 20, 2014. Pakistan's parliament met on August 20, 2014 as thousands of protesters gathered outside demanding the government resign in a week-long political drama that has shaken the restive nuclear-armed nation. Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri led followers in a late-night march o

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has cancelled his visit to Pakistan in the wake of the country’s political situation, sources in the Foreign Office said.

During the visit which was scheduled to begin on August 22, the Sri Lankan president was scheduled to hold meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, President Mamnoon Hussain and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

A high-powered delegation was to accompany Rajapaksa — 22 members in the government delegation and 30 members in a delegation from the private sector.

Apart from interactions with the country’s political and military leadership, MoUs were also to be signed during the visit of the Sri Lankan president.

The cancellation of Rajapaksa’s visit comes as Pakistan is in the middle of protests by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehrik that have thrown the country into a state of political turmoil.

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