Sri Lankan Army Chief Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka, who is on a week long visit to Pakistan, will hold talks with his counterpart there on various issues including purchase of arms for his forces, embroiled in an intense battle with Tamil Tigers.
Lt Gen Fonseka, who left for Pakistan on Sunday on an official tour, is slated to discuss several issues including defence purchases, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.
During his stay, the visiting Lt. Gen. Fonseka is scheduled to meet President Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan Army.
On Monday he met with Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Tariq Majid and Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani
Gen. Fonseka was accompanied by a Sri Lankan delegation comprising Major General L.A.D. Amarathunga, Director General General Staff of Army, Group Captain Ajantha Silva, Defence Advisor to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan and Lieutenant Colonel. R. Wijesundara, Military Assistant to Lt. Gen. Fonseka.
General Majid told the Gen. Fonseka that Pakistan and Sri Lanka historically enjoyed excellent relations based on mutual trust, confidence and commonality of interest in maintaining regional peace, security and stability.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s support towards the capacity building of Sri Lankan army by offering cooperation in military training and in various other fields of common interests, the Sri Lanka Army website said..
"Reports claimed that the main purpose of the Army Chief's visit to Pakistan was to discuss the purchasing of certain required weapons and ammunition though there was no official confirmation over such claims," the newspaper said.
A defence official said Lt Gen Fonseka is touring Pakistan on an invitation from his counterpart Kayani. "It is similar to the visit undertaken by the Army Chief to India," the official said.
Sri Lanka has been increasing looking at China and Pakistan for weapons supplies.
Lt Gen Fonseka, who left for Pakistan on Sunday on an official tour, is slated to discuss several issues including defence purchases, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.
During his stay, the visiting Lt. Gen. Fonseka is scheduled to meet President Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan Army.
On Monday he met with Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Tariq Majid and Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani
Gen. Fonseka was accompanied by a Sri Lankan delegation comprising Major General L.A.D. Amarathunga, Director General General Staff of Army, Group Captain Ajantha Silva, Defence Advisor to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan and Lieutenant Colonel. R. Wijesundara, Military Assistant to Lt. Gen. Fonseka.
General Majid told the Gen. Fonseka that Pakistan and Sri Lanka historically enjoyed excellent relations based on mutual trust, confidence and commonality of interest in maintaining regional peace, security and stability.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s support towards the capacity building of Sri Lankan army by offering cooperation in military training and in various other fields of common interests, the Sri Lanka Army website said..
"Reports claimed that the main purpose of the Army Chief's visit to Pakistan was to discuss the purchasing of certain required weapons and ammunition though there was no official confirmation over such claims," the newspaper said.
A defence official said Lt Gen Fonseka is touring Pakistan on an invitation from his counterpart Kayani. "It is similar to the visit undertaken by the Army Chief to India," the official said.
Sri Lanka has been increasing looking at China and Pakistan for weapons supplies.
