COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has decided to remove Pakistan from its negative visa categories after a meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, according to official statements.
During the talks, the Pakistani side raised concerns over visa difficulties faced by Pakistani citizens. The Sri Lankan president directed relevant authorities to immediately revise visa classifications, allowing smoother travel for Pakistani visitors, businesspersons and officials.
Officials described the move as a step aimed at improving bilateral cooperation and facilitating people-to-people contact between the two countries.
The meeting also covered cooperation in counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics efforts and professional training exchanges between security institutions.
Both sides reaffirmed longstanding diplomatic relations and discussed expanding collaboration in trade, tourism and sports. The Sri Lankan leadership acknowledged Pakistan’s support during challenging economic circumstances, while the Pakistani delegation conveyed an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for a future visit to Pakistan.
Sri Lankan officials indicated that a high-level visit from Colombo to Islamabad is expected in the near future.
