Islamabad, Aug. 9 (Alliance News): Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan Fred Seneviratne met Prime Minister’s Adviser on Tourism and Centaurus Group and Mövenpick Hotel Chief Executive Officer Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector.
The high commissioner was warmly received by Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan and his team. During the meeting, both sides held constructive discussions on matters of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on promoting bilateral relations and expanding tourism collaboration.
High Commissioner Seneviratne briefed Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan on Sri Lanka’s current political and economic situation, highlighting the country’s tourism potential and ongoing promotional initiatives.
He also shared plans to organize a Sri Lanka Tea Tasting Day, Sri Lanka Food Festival, and Sri Lanka Tourism Roadshow in Islamabad to showcase Sri Lankan tea, cuisine, culture, heritage and tourist attractions to the Pakistani public and travel industry.
The two sides discussed expanding cooperation in religious, medical and adventure tourism, while exploring exchange programmes for travel operators and students. The Sri Lankan envoy also proposed launching chef training and exchange programmes to promote the rich culinary traditions of both countries.
Welcoming the proposals, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan suggested developing an annual calendar of tourism promotion events to better coordinate bilateral tourism activities.
He also proposed exploring memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between museums and cultural institutions in Pakistan and Sri Lanka to encourage cultural exchanges, exhibitions, professional collaboration and preservation of historical heritage.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to exploring new avenues of cooperation in tourism, culture, education and institutional exchanges, with the aim of strengthening people-to-people contacts and further deepening the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
