Islamabad: Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Saturday agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas as diverse as defence and banking and to work together to promote peace and security in the region.

Both sides reached "broad consensus" on strengthening bilateral cooperation in a comprehensive manner and on "common endeavours for promoting peace and security in the region and the world", said a joint statement issued after visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapkasa held talks with Pakistan’s top leadership.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at ongoing defence and security cooperation, the joint statement said. They agreed to continue cooperation in regional and international forums and to work together to promoting regional cooperation under SAARC. Rajapaksa called on his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari yesterday and held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani this afternoon.
During the talks between Rajapaksa and Gilani, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation in defence, agriculture, banking, shipping and tourism, said a statement from the premier’s office.
The Sri Lankan President extended his "deep sense of gratitude to Pakistan for helping in surmounting the cause of terrorism in his country".
Both sides agreed to make their Joint Ministerial Commission more effective to boost cooperation in all sectors. The next meeting of the Commission will be held in Colombo this year. They further agreed to explore opportunities for investments in construction, education, agriculture and shipping, and to enhance bilateral trade to two billion dollars by 2015.
Following the talks between Gilani and Rajapaksa, the two countries signed three memorandums of understanding to promote cooperation in trade, technical education and media.
The MoU on trade relates to a credit line of 200 million dollars for improving Pakistan`s exports. Both sides agreed to take steps to enhance air and sea connectivity, including joint ventures between their shipping corporations.
Rajapaksa visited Pakistan at Zardari`s invitation with a delegation that included Foreign Minister G L Peiris, Deputy Youth Affairs Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Deputy Technology Minister Faiszer Musthapha and senior officials.
He also visited Taxila, an important centre of Buddhist learning and a testimony to Pakistan`s rich Gandhara heritage.
PTI