SRI Lankans have won hearts of people of Pakistan by expressing complete solidarity with the country at a time when it was under threat and constant pressure. The Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association and several political parties organized a mammoth rally in capital Colombo on Friday where protestors condemned NATO/US aggression against Pakistan, urging US to stop terrorizing Pakistan.
Television footages showed that Sri Lankans of all ages came out on roads to demonstrate their affection for Pakistan and to denounce the unprovoked attack against Pakistani security posts. This was indeed a source of encouragement and solace for people of Pakistan who were under stress and strain because of ditching by a ‘friendly and allied’ country despite offering of tremendous sacrifices in the war against terror. Earlier, a number of countries expressed solidarity with Pakistan through official statements and in bilateral contacts with the leadership of the country but the case of Sri Lanka was unique in that the reaction was at the level of the masses and the protest demonstration was joined by people from all walks of life. This shows closeness of ties between the two countries, which are exemplary and based on principles of mutual respect, equality and non-interference in each other’s affairs. Over the last several decades, this relationship has grown from strength to strength and this would surely contribute towards peace and development of the region. We believe that durable peace and progress in South Asia is possible if all countries of SAARC engage into a cooperative and productive relationship that is hallmark of Pak-Sri Lanka ties.
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