In a significant diplomatic development, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude towards Pakistan for its support during challenging times, particularly in the context of the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup. During a meeting with Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Dissanayake stated, "We reaffirmed our enduring friendship [and] appreciated Pakistan’s support to Sri Lanka during difficult times." This meeting took place as Pakistan reversed its earlier decision to boycott a match against India, which had raised concerns about financial repercussions for Sri Lanka's cricket board and tourism sector, still recovering from an economic crisis. The Sri Lankan cricket board had urged Pakistan to reconsider the boycott, emphasizing that it would lead to a financial hit and negatively impact tourism, which is crucial for the island nation’s economy. Following diplomatic discussions, Pakistan announced on February 9 that it would participate in the match, with Dissanayake thanking Pakistan's leadership for ensuring the match would proceed as planned.