President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday(12) said that not only the government but the entire Sri Lankan nation was grateful to Pakistan for the enormous assistance provided to defeat the terrorism.

“Sri Lanka today stands as a peaceful unitary State because of your support,” he told the new Pakistani High Commissioner Major General (r) Syed Shakeel Hussain when he presented his credentials to the president on Tuesday at the Presidential Secretariat. The president also expressed his gratitude to Pakistan for the support extended at the international forums in general and at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in particular.

“Your ambassador in Geneva fought for us as if he was fighting for his own country," President Maithripala Sirisena said. The Pakistani ambassador requested Sri Lanka to provide archaeological expertise to Pakistan for the excavation and development of Buddhist sites such as Thakshila and the president readily acceded to the request.

Ambassador Syed Shakeel Hussain said that his government has a very high regard for President Maithripala Sirisena and his steadfast policies and said he would work to further strengthen relations between the two countries and expand trade and economic ties. Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon were also present at the occasion.

(Daily Times)