High Commissioner – designate of Sri Lanka to Pakistan, Rear Admiral Fred Senevirathna, held a meeting with the President, NIMA on 25 July 2025, at the office of the NIMA in Islamabad.
The President of NIMA, Vice Admiral Ahmed Saeed (HI) M extended a warm welcome to the High Commissioner - designate and congratulated him on his appointment as the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan. He also expressed his gratitude for Sri Lanka's continued collaboration in the areas of defence cooperation and maritime industries.
During the meeting, the President introduced the staff of NIMA, arranged a presentation, and briefed the objectives and activities of the institution, highlighting those undertaken in the past as well as plans for the future. He also outlined proposed areas of cooperation to enhance bilateral collaboration between the Sri Lankan High Commission and NIMA. These include facilitating think tanks; generating academic and research activities with Sri Lankan universities; instituting an annual dialogue or conference on mutually agreed topics; bilateral exchange of research faculty; scholarship and attachment opportunities for NIMA researchers at Sri Lankan maritime institutions; and collaboration in smart port operations, maritime tourism, and innovation in maritime technology.
Furthermore, the President of NIMA briefed the High Commissioner - designate on the upcoming Pakistan International Maritime Expo & Conference (PIMEC 2025), scheduled to take place in Karachi, Pakistan, from 3 to 6 November 2025. The event is expected to host speakers and observers from over 60 countries, including Sri Lanka.
The High Commissioner - designate expressed his appreciation to the President for arranging the meeting with warm hospitality and acknowledged the continued collaboration between the two countries. He also highlighted Sri Lanka’s contributions to the ocean ecosystem and the blue economy.
Furthermore, the High Commissioner – designate agreed to propose NIMA representation at the upcoming maritime related seminar in Sri Lanka this year, namely Galle Dialogue and the International Convention 2025 of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka (CILT SL).
Head of Chancery/Minister of this Mission, A Christy Ruban, was also present at the meeting.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Islamabad
31 July 2025
