Outgoing Pakistani High Commissioner Major General (Retd.) Umar Farooq Burki yesterday paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and thanked the Prime Minister for excellent support extended to him during his tenure in Sri Lanka.
The High Commissioner briefed the Prime Minister about the steps taken to promote tourism, especially Buddhist pilgrim tours to Pakistan.
The Prime Minister, while welcoming the offer by Pakistan to open Buddhist pilgrim sites for Sri Lankans, thanked the Pakistan High Commission for organising a tour for Buddhist monks, journalists and academics on a familiarisation visit to Pakistan to witness the diversity of well-preserved Buddhist heritage sites last year. The High Commissioner said another such visit would be held early next year.
The Prime Minister thanked Pakistan for continuous support given to Sri Lanka at the UNHRC and other international forums. He also expressed gratitude to the Pakistani Envoy for increasing the Pakistani…