Pakistan Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt called on Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo and discussed ways to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries.  

During the meeting, a cordial discussion was held between Secretary Defence and Air Chief Marshal Butt on matters of bilateral cooperation and mutual interest, the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said.

Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force Air Marshal KolithaGunathilake, Air Commodore Hamid Rashid Randhawa and DefenceAttache of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Col Muhammad RajilIrshad Khan were also present at the occasion.

The Air Chief, who is on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, also met his Sri Lankan counterpart, Air Marshal KA Gunatilleke.  During the meeting it was agreed to enhance the cooperation between the two Air Forces and new dimensions be given to already existing friendly relations.

Air Chief Marshal TahirRafique Butt assured his counterpart of sustained support and cooperation in the fields of technical training and professional expertise.

In a subsequent development Air Chief Marshal TahirRafique Butt also held meetings on matters of professional interests with Commander Sri Lankan Army Lt. General DayaRatnayake and Commander Sri Lankan Navy Vice Admiral JayanthaPerera at their respective services headquarters, the statement added.