The President of Sri Lanka announces that his country’s Prime Minister will soon visit Pakistan
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake ordered Pakistan’s immediate removal from all “negative” visa lists after a meeting with Federal Home Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
This is seen as an important step towards easing travel concerns of Pakistani citizens and strengthening bilateral ties.
During the meeting, Naqvi raised the issue of visa difficulties faced by Pakistani citizens. Taking immediate notice, President Dissanayake directed authorities to remove Pakistan from all negative visa categories, providing relief to Pakistani travelers and the business community.
I met Pakistani Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain today. We reaffirm our long-standing friendship and appreciate Pakistan’s support to Sri Lanka in difficult times. The visiting delegation of Pakistan conveyed special thanks from… pic.twitter.com/v2wcIvlzJZ
– Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) February 16, 2026
The Sri Lankan president also announced that his country’s prime minister would soon visit Pakistan.
Read: India-Pakistan: Hottest ticket in cricket sparks T20 World Cup fever
Discussions during the meeting covered cooperation in the fight against terrorism, anti-narcotics efforts and joint training of security forces.
President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support to Sri Lanka during difficult times and thanked Islamabad for agreeing to play a T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo, terming it a gesture of goodwill.
In a post on his X account, he said he met Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, adding that both sides reaffirmed their long-standing friendship. Naqvi praised the role of the Sri Lankan President in promoting Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations and conveyed an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Pakistan.
He also thanked the Sri Lankan leadership for the arrangements and hospitality extended to the Pakistani delegation during the T20 World Cup.
