President Anura Kumara Dissanayake welcomed the decision taken by India and Pakistan to stop the war that was growing between the two countries.

Issuing a statement, the President stated that an immediate ceasefire is not just an urgent need to spare innocent lives on both sides and that it is also a necessary first step in achieving lasting peace and regional stability.

The statement added: “Leaders of India and Pakistan must be commended for replacing guns with words before a conflagration broke out. This willingness to compromise demonstrates their wisdom and statesmanship. As a neighbour and friend of India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka hopes that this ceasefire leads to the peaceful resolution of long standing issues through constructive engagement. Sri Lanka reaffirms its unwavering support for continued dialogue and expresses its readiness to make whatever contribution necessary to achieve regional peace in our time.”