By F.F Mushfika

Interestingly, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have shared a mutual and an understanding relationship ever since its ancient days. It has overcome the challenges of overlooking its differences, to the religion that majority are enjoying, and does more focus on the betterment of the country. They have a bilateral bond amidst any chaotic situation throughout history. These countries which belong to the South Asia ensure that it continuously attempts to develop, hence stand as developing nations. Starting from the year 1948 to date of the present time, the bond of these countries has been overwhelmingly great. What makes the relationship interesting as I have mentioned before is the differences they have as a country. These characteristics extend to a longer version, such as the predominant language of the nation, the cultures they share and many other historical facts. For instance, Pakistan is a Muslim majority while the Sri Lankans have been a Buddhist majority nation, respectively. Their religious and cultural differences are contrastingly huge. This includes their social habits, beliefs, and dress codes.

However, they have a pleasing and a pleasant friendship for years long. Their strong built relationship is enormously represented through their actions, most specifically when President Asif Ali Zadari signed a credit line for US $200 million as one of the Memorandum of Understanding with President Mahindha Rajapaksa- in 2012. This signifies the mutual confidence of the respective countries to move forward with no legal binding but with a mutual agreement. This strengthens the goals of a country to build a peaceful and an understanding country adjoining with another state. In fact, much of the troubles and disputes can be prevented through such measures. Although MoU has its own criticism and drawbacks, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have had an intense and dignified manner of dealing with the affairs so far. Moreover, in during the recent past, Sri Lanka has had a profound agreement in signing a MoU at Temple Trees when Prime Minister Imran Khan officially visited Sri Lanka on 23^rd of February 2021. These Memoranda of Understanding serves as an economically significant contract between the parties.

As mentioned before, Sri Lanka’s relationship with Pakistan government remains solid and prosperous. In fact, the visit of Imran Khan and his signing of the MoU in 2021 recalls his motive when he openly confessed to the press. He stated that “my visit aims to strengthen bilateral relationship, especially trade and economic ties through enhanced connectivity.”

In addition, Pakistan has displayed appreciation with respect and protection to the heritages of the Buddhism in their country. It even hoisted the 2500^th anniversary of Lord Buddha in 1956. The Gandhara grand exhibition is a wonderful example of Pakistanis valuing Buddhism with its ancient history. Parallelly, Sri Lanka too has proven their due respect by several other activities like labelling a public ground as “Jinnah Maidan” at Colombo in 1976. Hence, their respect towards the two countries were mutual and reciprocal.

More so, at times of dire security loss and threat the two countries has shown utmost commitment to help each other to overcome the dangers. It is essential to recall the obliging nature of the Pakistan government during the civil war of Sri Lanka. Pakistan has been marvelous in projecting their willful helping hand by supplying fighter jets and military training to defeat the terrorists of LTTE – commonly called as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Sri Lanka was never forsaken by the Pakistan regime ever since it has built its foreign relationship. Simultaneously, Sri Lanka too extended its support and shouldered the Pakistan during its critical fall to terrorist strikes nationwide from 2007 to 2014. Thus, the two countries were fortunately driven into a more positive defense relation.

Notably, Sri Lanka and Pakistan has mutually teamed up in building the higher education. As a result, the Pakistan government has declared hundreds and thousands of scholarship programs for students of Sri Lanka. This includes partial and fully funded programs as well. This significant opportunity gives Sri Lankan students to pursue their education in their respective field with full tuition fee, accommodation allowances, study allowances and one time return ticket. Many students are selected for Allama Iqbal scholarships to continue their higher education with minimum cost and expenditure. This further motivates Sri Lankans for similar programs to expect in near future, with its best possibilities of building the bridge with the Pakistani government.

Thus, as an overall analysis of the relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka - is unbelievable strong and dominant in character. The bilateral and mutual foreign relation demonstrate strong ties of understanding and respect for each other.

Like the most popular quote of J.K Rowling, “we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided”.

With that being said, let us believe and hope that the relationship of the two countries -Pakistan and Sri Lanka, remain unbreakable.