Pakistan-Sri Lanka:

An overview of the all-weather friendship

Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani with President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa

Pakistan Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa

The civilizational links between Pakistan and Sri Lanka date back to the dawn of Buddhism. The archaeological sites in Taxila, adjacent to Pakistan's capital city Islamabad, are a living testimony to this fact. Ghandara trail was a part of the silk route and many Buddhist pilgrims from different countries used to visit these sites on this historical route.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1948, the two countries have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relationship. Since inception Sri Lanka`s foreign policy making has been influenced by not only the global balance of power but also the regional balance of power that involves India, Pakistan and China. Sri Lanka`s relationship with Pakistan, established soon after Independence began on an open and friendly note.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka being located in the South Asian region and being members of various regional and international bodies like UN, commonwealth, NAM and SAARC are mutually important for each others. The relationship between Pakistan and Srilanka is based on mutual trust and commonality of interest in maintaining regional peace, security and stability. Pakistan has always supported the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Both countries have shared common perceptions on almost all regional and international issue and are working together on all these forums for shared values and interests.

The two countries, upholding their friendship and brotherhood, have been helpful to each other during difficult times. During the India Pakistan war in 1971, The Indian government disallowed Pakistan's civilian air crafts' use of Indian air space. In that situation, Sri Lanka defied India and allowed Pakistani civilian air crafts to fly via Colombo to Dhaka and to use refilling facilities. Similarly, Pakistan's timely and persistent assistance to Sri lanka during its 3 decade long civil war proved significant.

The level of friendship between the two sides is also evident from the number high level visits between the two sides. The formation of the parliamentarians Friendship Associations in the national parliaments of the two countries is another manifestation of cordiality at all levels of governments. The Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentarians Friendship Association, a multiparty caucus of 30 members, was established in Colombo in November 2007. The inaugural session of the Association was held on November 21, 2007, in Colombo under the Chairmanship of the Speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament. The Association is bi-partisan in real sense and includes members from almost all political parties represented in the Parliament. On similar lines, a Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group has been established in the National Assembly of Pakistan with speaker, Dr. Fehmida Mirza as its President.

Economic Cooperation/Pakistan - Sri Lanka Trade overview

Pakistan is the 2nd largest trading partner of Sri Lanka within the South Asian region. The level of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka increased as a result of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Trade between the two countries increased from US$ 150 million to over US$ 300 million during the last three years, as it doubled within a short period of time with the positive support gained from the FTA.

1948: D.S. Senanayake with Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi

Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on a visit to Sri Lanka received by Late Minister Anura Bandaranaike on arrival

Bilateral trade between the two countries strengthened through an increase in the number of products imported from and exported to Sri Lanka such as fish, meat, vegetable, foliage, plant, sugar, biscuits, pastry, cakes, mineral products, fiber boards, leather and leather-based products, footwear, gems, jewellery, value-added copper products, electrical items, bicycles, boats, and floating structures. There was a great demand for Pakistani produces such as cotton yarn, fabrics, potatoes, pharmaceutical products, knitted or crocheted fabrics, articles of iron and steel, galvanized pipes, rice, fish, seafood, textile articles, articles of apparel and clothing accessories, rods of refined copper etc.

Sri Lanka was the first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan. FTA between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is operational from June 12, 2005. Under FTA, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to offer preferential market access to each others' exports by way of granting tariff concessions. Sri Lanka enabled to enjoy duty free market access on 206 products in the Pakistani market, while Pakistan, gained duty free access on 102 products in the Sri Lankan market. The aim of a free trade agreement is to reduce barriers, to facilitate exchange so that trade can grow as a result of specialization, division of labor, and most importantly via comparative advantage.

Items in the zero duty list of Pakistan include frozen fish, vegetables, spices, fruits/juices, polymers of vinyl chloride in primary forms, natural rubber, raw silk, tanned/crust skins, wool, some varieties of paper and board, carpet and floor covering, non-alloy aluminum, iron and steel products and toys/dolls.

Sri Lanka's zero duty items under the FTA include chickpeas, dates, oranges, benzene, toluene, apparel and clothing accessories, ball bearing, penicillin/ streptomycin/ tetracycline and their derivatives and vacuum flasks.

Taking the concept forward, Pakistan Exhibition also known as the 'Little Pakistan' was organized in 2008 by the Pakistan High Commission and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan in Colombo showcasing its quality products.

The aim of the exhibition was to promote Pakistan - Sri Lanka economic relations by diversifying the existing trade patterns thus introducing vide range of quality Pakistani products in the Sri Lankan market for the first time with the prominent business and trade sectors representing textiles, leather products, sports, surgical goods, hospital and pharmaceutical equipment, cosmetics, furniture, handicrafts, cutlery, gem and jewelry items and much more. More than 100 Pakistani trading and manufacturing companies participated in this exhibition.

The two brotherly countries have also signed the Bilateral Investment treaty in December 1997, which came into force in January 2000 after ratification. In addition a memorandum of understanding between Board of Investment Pakistan and Board of Investment Sri Lanka has also been signed in February 2007 for strengthening of cooperation in all the sectors of investment of both countries.

This MoU provides support to the enterprises on both sides and encourages them to invest in both countries.

The two Boards of Investment also practice sharing of information on investment polices and projects and encourage exchange of expertise.

Defense Cooperation

Since independence, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations especially in the field of defense. Both nations have assisted each other during testing times in their history.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have comprehensive and mutually beneficial training collaboration for Army, Navy and Air Force. Over a period of time, a strong bond of commitment and mutual understanding has been reached between both the friendly armed forces.

In future too, both the brotherly countries are expected to work more closely in the field of defence to boost peace efforts in the region.

Cultural Cooperation

A Cultural Agreement between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was signed in December 1973 which provides the basis for meaningful cooperation in the fields of folklore, music, dance, painting, exhibition, calligraphy etc. The latest Cultural Exchange programme was signed between the government of Pakistan and the Government of Sri Lanka in March 2006 during the visit of President Rajapaksa to Pakistan covering the period from 2007-2011.

This programme provides for promotion of cultural, scientific, media and educational relations between the two countries.

Besides other areas of cooperation, the Cultural Cooperation Exchange programme provides for joint production of documentary films on topics of national and historical interests, and organization of film exhibitions.

Pakistan donated a number of relics of Lord Buddha discovered from Buddhist establishments near Taxila. In 1959 the relic of heir of Lord Buddha was also presented to the Government of Sri Lanka.

The iconic relic of 'Fasting Buddha' was exhibited in Sri Lanka in 2006, making it only the second country in the world (after Japan) to receive the relic.

The two sides are also cognizant of the need for greater collaboration in the tourism sector which would enhance greater people-to-people contacts with particular emphasis on religious tourism.

Scholarships and funded Educational Programme

In order to assist Sri Lankan students to pursue quality education, the Government of Pakistan extends 6 scholarships every year in the fields of medicine, engineering, dentistry and pharmacy.

In addition, short-term courses in diplomacy, postal services, railways, and banking are also being offered on annual basis.

Every year, Government of Pakistan extends 'Jinnah Scholarship' to 150-200 deserving Sri Lankan students to facilitate continuation of their studies beyond O/Level and A/Level.

Disaster Relief Assistance

The recent floods in Pakistan affected over an estimated area of 150,000 Sq Km affecting over 2 million people in 72 districts. Sri Lanka was amongst the first countries to respond and immediately dispatched a C-130 Aircraft full of relief items. Sri Lanka also sent a 15-member medical team along with medicines to assist in relief work. Other Relief Goods worth millions of rupees were donated by the general public for the assistance of the flood victims.

This was not the only instance in which support was extended to the disaster affected population in the two countries. In recent years the government and the people of Pakistan extended their support for the tsunami affected population of Sri Lanka. Similarly, the Sri Lankan government and public supported victims of the deadly earthquake of October 2005 which claimed over 73,000 lives in northern Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A donation of 500 metric tonnes of rice was made for the benefit of those affected by October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.

Both sides have also discussed the establishment of early warning system to avoid natural disasters in South Asia.

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