Islamabad August 09(Sub News)The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, H.E. Fred Senevirathne, met with Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Tourism and CEO of Centaurus Group/Mövenpick Hotel.
The High Commissioner was warmly received by Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan and his staff upon arrival.During the meeting, the two sides engaged in a cordial and constructive discussion on matters of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector.
High Commissioner Senevirathne briefed Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan on Sri Lanka’s current political and economic situation, as well as the country’s tourism potential and ongoing promotional initiatives.The High Commissioner outlined plans to organize a Sri Lanka Tea Tasting Day, Sri Lanka Food Festival, and Sri Lanka Tourism Road Show in Islamabad to promote Sri Lanka’s tea, cuisine, culture, heritage, and tourism destinations among the Pakistani public and tourism industry.
The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in religious, medical, and adventure tourism, as well as establishing Travel Operators and Student Exchange Programmes. The High Commissioner also proposed a Chefs Training and Exchange Programme to promote the rich culinary traditions of both countries.
Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan welcomed the proposed initiatives and suggested finalizing an Annual Tourism Promotional Events Calendar to coordinate tourism-related activities between the two countries. He also proposed exploring MoUs between museums and cultural institutions of Sri Lanka and Pakistan to promote cultural exchanges, exhibitions, expertise-sharing, and preservation of their rich historical heritage.
Both sides expressed their commitment to exploring new avenues of cooperation in tourism, culture, education, and institutional exchanges, with a view to enhancing people-to-people contacts and further strengthening the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.A. Christy Ruban, Head of Chancery of the High Commission of Sri Lanka, also attended the meeting.
