Sri Lanka, Pakistan seek closer ties

COLOMBO - Sri Lankan and Pakistani officials held talks here Sunday during which they pledged to boost cooperation in a wide range of areas, reports Xinhua.

Both countries have agreed to cooperate to tackle drug crimes and customs irregularities, among others, officials said.

Pakistani President Asif Al Zardari, who is on an official visit here, met with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo Sunday.

The foreign ministers of the two nations also signed a visa abolition agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Zardari also met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, who thanked Pakistan for its help in the war against the Tamil Tiger rebels.