First a press release by Pakistan High Commission, then came a denial by President's office.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena's office on Thursday contested a statement issued by Pakistan High Commission which said claimed that he acknowledged Jammu and Kashmir as a "disputed territory."
Maj Gen (Retd) Dr Shahid Ahmad Hashmat, Pakistan's High Commissioner in Colombo, met President Sirisena on Wednesday and apprised him "about the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir."
A statement issued by the High Commission said the President "expressed his desire that this dispute should be resolved according to wishes of Kashmiris under UN Resolutions."
However, the President’s Media Division denied making this comment.
Here is the full statement by Pak High Commission and President’s denial:
1. 'President acknowledged Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory'
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"The President (Maithripala Sirisena) acknowledged that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and expressed his desire that this dispute should be resolved according to wishes of Kashmiris under UN Resolutions. He also offered Sri Lanka’s mediation and facilitation of dialogue between Pakistan and India to re-activate the SAARC forum," the Pakistan High Commission statement said.
"He further said that resolution of Kashmir issue is essential for permanent peace and stability in the region," the statement added.
2. Statement by President’s Media Division: Full text
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The attention of the President’s Media Division has been drawn to a media release issued by the Pakistan High Commission on the High Commissioner’s meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena on August 20, 2019.
The President’s Media Division wishes to state that the said meeting took place at the request of the High Commissioner of Pakistan and during which he briefed the President about the recent developments with regard to India’s abrogation of Section 370 and annulling of Article 35A of the Constitution of India.
The President gave a patient hearing to the Pakistan High Commissioner’s views and stated that both India and Pakistan have excellent friendly relations with Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka’s interest is to see the growth of regional cooperation and friendship. The President did not make any other comment on the issues pertaining to India and Pakistan.
