President Arif Alvi has said people to people contacts and religious tourism provide excellent platforms to further expand bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

He made these remarks while talking to a delegation of Sri Lankan Buddhist monks in Islamabad today (Wednesday).

The President said Pakistan is home to the Gandhara Buddhist heritage and proud custodian of some of the most sacred relics of Buddha offering great potential for promoting religious tourism from Sri Lanka to Pakistan.

 He asked the delegation to encourage the monks and people of Sri Lanka to visit the Buddhist religious sites in Pakistan as it has far greater number of Buddhist artefacts than any other country in the world.

President Arif Alvi said Pakistan considers Sri Lanka as a special partner and friend and wants to further improve bilateral cooperation with it.

The Sri Lankan delegation appreciated the measures taken by Pakistani government for the renovation and preservation of Buddhist heritage sites.