Mohammad Ashraf Haideri, the Afghan Ambassador to Sri Lanka met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo, and discussed the Afghan peace process and bilateral cooperation among other things. 

During his meeting,  Haideri also sought Sri Lanka’s support in getting its candidate, Dr. Zalmay Rassaul, elected for president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

He also expressed his gratitude for the Sri Lankan Muslim Council  (SLMC) which had recently denounced the Taliban’s continuation of the war in Afghanistan. The council had called on the Taliban to stop the violence against innocent Muslims in the country and declared that their war had no scriptural legitimacy.  

The ties between the two nations are growing. The chambers of commerce from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan had earlier signed MOUs. They have also discussed the status of pending MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation. 

Given Sri Lanka’s own experience in war and then transition to peace, Haidari apprised him of the peace efforts taken by the government of Afghanistan, including the release of 5000 prisoners.