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| Sunday, 03 August 2003 |
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Lanka, Pakistan to exchange prisoners by S. Selvakumar Hundreds of Pakistanis recently arrested along with Indians and Bangladeshis when they attempted to make Sri Lanka a transit point to proceed to Italy and other European countries will soon be freed and deported in exchange for Sri Lankans who are languishing in Pakistani prisons. The understanding was reached when Interior Minister John Amaratunga met his Pakistani counterpart Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat at the Interior Ministry in Colombo on Friday. In a lengthy discussion between the two ministers it was agreed to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which Mr. Amaratunga will take to Pakistan before the end of the month where both Ministers will sign it. Interior Minister John Amaratunga told the Sunday Observer that other matters discussed with his Pakistani counterpart involved trafficking in drugs, registration of Sri Lankan tourists in Pakistani police stations, prevention of terrorism and the promotion of goodwill between the two countries. The Pakistani Interior Minister after his meeting with Amaratunga told reporters that a number of Sri Lankans had been imprisoned in Pakistan when they attempted to make Pakistan a transit point to emigrate to various other countries. Meanwhile it is well known, a large quantity of hard drugs like heroin arrive in Sri Lanka from the Golden Triangle via Pakistan and India. It has become a national problem here and hard and tough measures will be taken by Pakistani authorities to prevent the flow through their borders. Hayat also met with Police Narcotic Bureau officials after the meeting with Amaratunga. Amaratunga also said that all tourists travelling to Pakistan will first have to be registered with Pakistani police stations and this matter was discussed and agreed that with the signing of the MOU, all Sri Lankans visiting Pakistan will be given a clearance by the local police.To promote goodwill between Sri Lanka and Pakistan more positive measures will be adopted to maintain and strengthen the friendly ties between both countries. |
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