Sri Lankan president arrives in Pakistan on three-day state visit

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received him at Islamabad airport

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at Islamabad airport, as he arrived on a three-day official state visit to Pakistan on Sunday.

This is President Sirisena’s first visit to Pakistan, which was agreed upon the request of President Mamnoon Hussain and PM Nawaz, a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Earlier during the day, Sirisena arrived in Karachi, and was welcomed by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and other provincial officials.

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Sirisena will meet President Mamnoon, who is scheduled to host a state banquet in his honour, whereas Nawaz will hold official talks with him on Monday.

Following the talks, a number Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed along with agreements of cooperation between the two countries.

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Senior ministers are also set to call on the visiting dignitary.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy friendly and cordial relations. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1948.

Being members of both SAARC and the Commonwealth, Pakistan and Sri Lanka cooperate closely and coordinate with each other on regional and international issues.