By TON Research Section

Pakistan and SriLankan have a healthy relationship since the inception of both countries. Pakistani primer on Tuesday visited Sri Lanka on the invitation of SriLankan premier. Both the countries have always been trusted-partners with historical linkages dating back to the period of Gandhara civilization, from the first to seventh-century AD. Furthermore, friendship strengthened during the war of 1971 when Pakistan's jets were allowed to refuel on Sri Lankan territory despite Indian furor. Sri Lanka historically has a friendly relationship with Pakistan. The relationship further grows during the crises of Jaffna, when Pakistan helped the Sri Lanka government. 

This shows that both countries have good relations in terms of politics, economics, and cultural heritage. Muslims are the largest minority in Sri Lanka, and many people settled In Sri Lanka. This, as a result, gives both nations an insight into each other's problems, stemming from internal and external players. Historically, Sri Lanka never wanted India to dominate the region, both economically and militarily. Thus, India is creating a hurdle for the Sri Lankans and disrupts the peace and progress of the region. Indian is sending Tamils and fleets in Sri Lanka's water, which is disrupting the region's progress. India wants to create its hegemony in the region at the cost of destroying its neighboring countries. 

History and facts put a glimpse into Pakistan and Sri Lanka's relationship, and we came to know bilateral trade agreement has existed between Sri Lanka and Pakistan since 1984. However, it was during the 9th session of Sri Lanka – Pakistan Joint Commission meeting in Colombo on May 12-13, 2005, that the two countries for the first-time exchanged notes confirming to each other the completion of the domestic legal procedures for putting the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) into practice. The groundwork was thus prepared, and it was made operational as of June 12, 2005. Sri Lanka is the 1st state in South Asia to sign a free trade pact with Pakistan. Pakistan agreed and confirmed that a 100 percent duty concession would be applied on 206 commodities. The products included 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, with immediate effect. Likewise, Sri Lanka also waived duties immediately on 102 items, including chickpeas, dates, oranges, benzene, toluene, apparel and clothing accessories, ball bearings, penicillin/streptomycin/tetracycline, and their derivative and vacuum flasks. 

Pakistan wants to enhance its cordial relationship with Sri Lanka. In 1948 the founder of Pakistan, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, stated "Pakistan has the warmest goodwill towards Ceylon, and I am sanguine that the good feeling which exists between our two people will be further strengthened as the years roll by and our common interests, and mutual and reciprocal handing of them, will bring us into still closer friendship.". 

The people of Bangladesh always regard the stance and standing of Pakistan in the International Arena. Pakistani Prime Minister pays a visit to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who also tried to give the podium to Mr. Khan in Sri Lanka for the address, but due to some internal rift, opposition party-Lankan President drops the idea. Sri Lankan President also shows the concerns over the Muslim minority issue, which were affected in the COVID lockdown days. 

On February 23, he stated that "Our People hold Pakistan in very high esteem. Pakistan was a friend who stood by and helped Sri Lanka in times of great need. We are grateful for the steadfast support, particularly during my Presidency". 

He further stated, "We further agreed to work towards increasing activities in the tourism and aviation sectors. Sri Lanka is grateful to Pakistan for agreeing to open the pilgrimage corridors for Sri Lankans to visit ancient Buddhist heritage sites in Pakistan." 

Here want to last words, Sri Lanka faces an ample amount of hurdles from India on Kachchatheevu Island, illegal drug trafficking, arms smuggling from the Indian side, and the Indian nationals violate the water boundaries. Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed on the information sharing to curb the Sri Lankan water boundaries' illegal activities. Pakistan always wants to establish good relations and progressively participate in regional peace. In recent decades China and other countries investing in Sri Lanka, is a threat to Indian hegemony in the region. Pakistan has also become a great ally of Sri Lanka for the welfare of the region's people.