ISLAMABAD: Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has arrived in Colombo on a four day official visit to Sri Lanka.

He was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieutenant General A.W.J Crishanthe De Silva., High Commissioner of Pakistan Maj Gen(R) Shakeel Hussain and other senior officials.

General Raheel Sharif is making his first official visit to the island nation, on the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart Lieutenant General A.W.J. Crishanthe De Silva.

He is expected to meet the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

General Sharif will also meet the top leadership of Sri Lanka’s armed forces.

The visit of Pakistan’s Army Chief will provide both sides with an opportunity to review ongoing cooperation and collaboration, and discuss ways to further broaden and deepen the relationship.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have comprehensive and mutually beneficial training collaboration for army, navy and air force. A strong bond of commitment and mutual understanding has developed between both nations. Both countries are committed to work closely in all fields to boost cooperation and to promote peace in the region.

Earlier General Raheel Sharif had cancelled his visit to Sri Lanka, following the attack on Ismaili community members in Karachi.

Opinion

Editorial

Exit strategy
Updated 18 Mar, 2026

Exit strategy

MOST members of the international community, particularly states in the greater Middle East, are gravely concerned...
Unsafe trains
18 Mar, 2026

Unsafe trains

SUNDAY’S accident involving the Shalimar Express has once again brought into sharp focus the deep structural and...
Disappointment in Dhaka
18 Mar, 2026

Disappointment in Dhaka

FOR a side looking for lift-off after a disappointing T20 World Cup, it was despair for Shaheen Shah Afridi’s ...
Missing in action
17 Mar, 2026

Missing in action

NOT exactly known for playing a proactive role in protecting the interests of Muslim nations and populations...
Risk to stability
Updated 17 Mar, 2026

Risk to stability

THE risks to Pakistan’s fragile economic recovery from the US-Israel war on Iran cannot be dismissed. Yet the...
Enrolment push
17 Mar, 2026

Enrolment push

THE federal government has embarked upon the welcome initiative to enrol 25,000 out-of-school children in Islamabad...