PM Imran to embark on maiden Sri Lanka visit on Feb 23

FO says premier will meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa during his two-day visit

Prime Minister Imran Khan will undertake a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka from February 23 (Tuesday) on the invitation of his counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa.

This will be Premier Imran’s first visit to Sri Lanka since assuming office, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Friday.

The prime minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of the cabinet and senior officials.

As per the statement, PM Imran will meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during his official visit to the country.

“The prime minister will also lead the delegation-level talks, covering all areas of cooperation between the two countries including trade and investment, health and education, agriculture and science and technology, defence and security, and culture and tourism,” the communiqué said.

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Besides bilateral matters, views will be exchanged on key regional and international issues, it added.

During the visit, the reconstitution of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association will be also announced to further promote parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.

PM Imran will also participate in a joint ‘Trade and Investment Conference’ aimed at promoting trade and investment between the two countries. A number of MoUs to enhance bilateral cooperation will be signed during the visit.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations since 1948. The two countries share commonality of views on a wide range of international and regional issues.

Both sides also work closely at the international and regional fora including the United Nations and Saarc.

The prime minister’s visit would help further strengthen the Pakistan-Sri Lanka relationship and enhance mutual cooperation in diverse fields, the FO in a statement added.