Pakistan Joint Chiefs Chairman meets CDS Shavendra Silva

COLOMBO (News 1st); General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan arrived in Sri Lanka for a three day visit.

The visiting General and his entourage arrived in the island at the cordial invitation extended by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil. 

Commencing the official tour in Sri Lanka, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M) visited the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff where the visiting General was formally received in a colourful Guard of Honour, accorded on his behalf by the troops of the Sri Lanka Army. 

Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva and General Sahir Shamshad Mirza dedicated time for the discussions highlighting the importance of continued close relations between the two friendly nations and recalled the past memories and assistance readily extended to Sri Lanka, particularly during the height of the combat against the LTTE terrorism and remembered the bonds of understanding and goodwill that prevails between two forces throughout the years. 

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M) pledged his fullest support to the Sri Lankan armed forces on 9 Feb, 2023.

General Mirza also discussed the importance of further enhancing of defence related ties through military diplomacy during a meeting held with the Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) in Colombo.

Following a discussion on the serviceability of the Sri Lankan military aircraft, he pledged the fullest support of the government of Pakistan to strengthen the air facility.

Recalling the long rejoiced bilateral ties between the two countries, both defence high officials had a cordial discussion of mutual relevance during the session.

General Silva was grateful to his visiting counterpart for the extensive availability of training avenues and facilities for the Sri Lankan military officers in Pakistan and also went on mentioning the further strengthening of ties through military exercises.

Viabilities of shipbuilding and other similar facilities were also included in the areas of concern during the fruitful bilateral discussion.

Further, CDS conveyed his gratefulness to the Pakistan Defence Forces for the support extended to the defence sector of Sri Lanka in numerous means such as training and modern military equipment to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. 

At the same time, CDS thankfully emphasized the assistance extended during the disastrous situations and stated that he looked forward to continuing the strong ties in the same spirit in the future as well.

As the cordial discussions drew to a close, General Shavendra Silva symbolized the existing sound working relations by presenting a special memento to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Pakistan while wishing him all the success in his future endeavours. 

Conforming the same strong relations to the future, the visiting General presented a memento to the CDS in response.

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M) Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Pakistan conveyed his gratefulness to General Shavendra Silva for the cordial welcome and endowed a few notable compliments in the Visitors’ Book at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff before leaving the premises.

During the stay, the delegation will also call on the President Ranil Wickremesinghe and a few other dignitaries including the Secretary Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil and Tri-Service Commanders. 

Further, the delegation visits Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Galle.