Sri Lanka hails Indo-Pak ceasefire as significant step towards regional peace

Colombo: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday hailed the understanding reached between India and Pakistan to stop all firing and military action as a "significant step towards peace".

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control and International Border on Saturday. Tension between India and Pakistan soared after the Indian Armed Forces hit terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) last week in response to the Pahalgam attack.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka, I commend this significant step towards peace,” President Dissanayake said in a statement.

“The immediate cessation of hostilities is not only a vital measure to protect innocent lives on both sides but also a crucial step toward achieving lasting peace and stability in our region. I deeply appreciate the decision by both nations to pursue dialogue over conflict, and I applaud their leadership for demonstrating true statesmanship in choosing diplomacy and restraint at this critical juncture,” he said.

As a close neighbour and long-standing friend of both India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka remains hopeful that this ceasefire will lay the foundation for a peaceful and constructive resolution of long-standing issues through continued engagement, Dissanayake said.