In a landmark diplomatic development, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially ordered the immediate removal of Pakistan from all restrictive “negative list” visa categories. This decisive action followed a high-level meeting at the Presidential Secretariat with Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi.
Met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain today. We reaffirmed our enduring friendship, appreciated Pakistan’s support to Sri Lanka during difficult times. The visiting Pakistan delegation conveyed special thanks from… pic.twitter.com/v2wcIvlzJZ
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) February 16, 2026
Ending Travel Barriers and Boosting Trade
The policy shift addresses long-standing concerns regarding visa hurdles faced by Pakistani citizens, particularly business leaders and tourists. By eliminating these restrictive categories, Sri Lanka aims to streamline entry processes, fostering a more robust environment for investment and people-to-people exchanges.
To further solidify this partnership, President Dissanayake confirmed that the Sri Lankan Prime Minister is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Pakistan in the near future.
Cricket Diplomacy: The “Colombo Gesture”
A centerpiece of the discussions was the intersection of sports and regional diplomacy. President Dissanayake expressed profound gratitude to the Government of Pakistan for choosing Colombo as the venue for the high-stakes Pakistan vs. India T20 World Cup 2026 match.
The President hailed this decision as a “significant gesture of goodwill,” noting the success of the recent February 15 clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium, which underscored Sri Lanka’s capacity to host world-class sporting events in an atmosphere of peace and hospitality.
Strategic Security and Economic Integration
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to institutionalized cooperation across several critical sectors. The renewed agreement outlines a comprehensive framework for:
- Joint Security Initiatives: Enhanced training programs between the police and paramilitary forces of both nations.
- Transnational Crime: A unified strategy to combat narcotics trafficking and counter-terrorism.
- Cybersecurity: The development of joint mechanisms to dismantle international “financial fraud mafias” and digital organized crime.
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High-Level State Visits
During the meeting, Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended an official invitation on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for President Dissanayake to visit Pakistan. This upcoming visit is expected to serve as a platform for deeper economic integration and the signing of further strategic protocols.
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