PR. No.178/2007

Date: 16/07/2007

VISIT OF SRI LANKAN FOREIGN SECRETARY DR. PALITHA KOHONA FOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS WITH PAKISTAN 17-19 JULY 2007

The Foreign Secretary of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Dr. Palitha Kohona will be visiting Pakistan from 17-19 July 2007 for the Second session of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Bilateral Consultations to be held in Islamabad on 18 July 2007. The Foreign Secretaries lead their respective delegations. During the consultations, both sides will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations besides exchanging views on important regional and international issues.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka maintain close and friendly relations, manifested through regular contacts and high level visits. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met the Presidnt of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of SAARC Summit held in New Delhi on April 3, 2007 and during the World Economic Forum held in Amman, Jordon on May 18, 2007. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries also met during the SAARC Summit in New Delhi. Earlier this year, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mr. Rohitha Bogollagama accompanied by Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona visited Pakistan on February 15-17, 2007.

The bilateral consultations which are held alternately in Colombo and Islamabad, will be attended by senior officials from both sides. The first session of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Bilateral Consultations was held on October 15, 2004 in Colombo.

Islamabad,

July 16, 2007