ISLAMABAD: PAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt called on Sri Lankan Secretary of Defe­n­ce and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Defence in Colombo on Thursday.

Later, the air chief called on the Commander of Sri Lankan Army, Lt Gen Daya Ratnayake, and Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, at the respective services’ headquarters.

The Chief of the Air Staff was accorded warm welcome by the Sri Lankan military leadership. Smart contingents of the three services presented guards of honour on his arrival at the respective headquarters of the Sri Lankan defence services.

According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Air Force here, the air chief’s meetings with Sri Lankan military leadership were productive and held in cordial atmosphere. Bilateral matters pertaining to professional interest came under discussion.

During the meeting with Air Marshal Gunathilake, it was agreed to enhance cooperation between the two air forces and new dimensions be given to the already existing friendly relations.

Air Chief Marshal Butt assured his Sri Lankan counterpart of sustained support and cooperation in the fields of technical training and professional expertise.

They agreed to cement fri­endly ties through exchange postings and course programmes. The two air chiefs also shared and discussed their experience in dealing with the menace of terrorism.

Air Chief Marshal Butt is on a three-day official visit to Myanmar and Sri Lanka on the invitation of air forces of both the countries.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2014