MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO: Pakistan donated cricket equipment to five schools in Beruwela at a simple ceremony held at the mission premises on Thursday,March 3.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa and High Commissioner of Pakistan Major General (R) Umar Farooq Burki jointly distributed the donations to the beneficiaries.
Minister Rajapaksa in his speech said that a World Youth Forum is to be held in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament.
Rajapaksa said the forthcoming Youth Forum is going to be an ideal platform for the youths to exchange their views and experience and youths from Pakistan are invited to this event.
The minister said the donation of cricket equipment was made on a request made by the Youth Parliament of Sri Lanka, which is a system that prepares the youths to prepare themselves for the legislature.
The minister also recalled with gratitude of the donation of Rs 50 million made by Pakistan Premier Imran Khan during his last visit to the island to develop cricket in Lanka.
Pakistan High Commissioner Major General (R) Umar Farooq Burki and the minister jointly presented the gifts to the respective schools. Honorary Consul for Pakistan Afzal Marikar was also present at the event.
Speaking further, Minister Namal said that Sri Lanka would deepen the sports diplomacy between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on an initiative made by Pakistan Premier Imran Khan.
He commended the services of the new Pakistan envoy who is doing his best to improve the bilateral relations between the two countries.
High Commissioner Burki said : “ Sri Lanka and Pakistan maintain excellent relations and we hope to take it from strength to greater strength in the coming years.” He added that Pakistan has a large heart to help Sri Lanka in every possible manner. He pointed out that youths are the backbone of any country and it is nothing but right to empower them to develop a nation.
On behalf of the beneficiaries of the Pakistan donations, M.S.Ahmath ,deputy minister of the Youth Parliament thanked the high commission for the generous donation to develop cricket in Beruwela.
Photos by: Mohamed Nasar
