Sri Lanka High Commissioner Pays Courtesy Call on Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture
Islamabad – 16 January 2025 (Adnan Hameed) : The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, Rear Admiral H.L.A. Fred Senevirathne (Rtd.), paid a courtesy call on Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture of Pakistan, on 13 January 2025. During the meeting, the High Commissioner conveyed the Government of Sri Lanka’s interest in further enhancing cooperation in the fields of cultural heritage, arts, and cultural exchanges between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for Pakistan’s continued friendship and support, particularly during challenging times, with special reference to the assistance extended in the aftermath of the DITWA cyclone and during subsequent rebuilding efforts of the country, says press note.
The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of strengthening the historic Buddhist ties between the two countries, highlighting Pakistan’s rich Buddhist heritage associated with
ancient centres such as Taxila, Lahore, Gandhara, and Peshawar. He noted that these sites and artefacts reflect the deep civilizational and spiritual links shared by Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
He further expressed his wish to explore the possibility of organizing a Buddhist relic exposition in Sri Lanka, featuring sacred relics and artefacts preserved in Pakistan. In this regard, he noted that Pakistan safeguards invaluable relics associated with Lord Buddha, including relic caskets and sacred remains discovered in ancient stupas of the Gandhara civilization, presently housed in a museum in Taxila. The High Commissioner observed that such an exposition would offer Sri Lankan Buddhists a meaningful opportunity to venerate these sacred relics while contributing to enhanced cultural and spiritual engagement between the two nations.
The Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture welcomed the proposals and assured the full support of the Government of Pakistan for the proposed initiatives. He further informed that arrangements would be made to send a cultural troupe from Pakistan to Sri Lanka and to organize a cultural performance in coordination with the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of increasing awareness among Sri Lankan Buddhists of Pakistan’s rich Buddhist heritage as part of strengthening people-to-people contacts. He expressed his wish to invite the Minister of Culture of Sri Lanka to visit Pakistan as a further step toward enhancing bilateral cultural relations.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong and friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan and the shared commitment of both countries to expanding cooperation in the areas of culture,
heritage, and people-to-people engagement.
The High Commissioner was accompanied by the Minister and Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lanka High Commission, while the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture of Pakistan was also present during the meeting.
