Pakistan Army’s Top General Meets Sri Lankan Defence Leaders

COLOMBO (News 1st); Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza, Chief of General Staff of the Pakistan Army, arrived in Sri Lanka on July 22 for an official visit aimed at enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.

During his visit, Lieutenant General Raza paid courtesy calls on Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) in separate meetings. 

He was accompanied by Colonel Muhammad Farooq, Defence Advisor to the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka.

The delegation engaged in constructive discussions focused on capacity building, exchange of best practices, and strategic preparedness, particularly in the context of natural disaster response.

Major General Jayasekara (Retd) acknowledged Pakistan’s longstanding support in providing military training opportunities to Sri Lankan personnel, which have significantly contributed to professional development and regional collaboration. He also referenced the Sri Lanka–Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue held in Islamabad in April, emphasizing its role in strengthening multi-domain defence partnerships.

In his meeting with the Defence Secretary, Lieutenant General Raza reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening strategic cooperation. Both parties expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration between the two nations’ defence establishments and emphasized the importance of sustained high-level engagements to promote regional security and mutual understanding.