RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif receives Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at the Nur Khan Airbase here on Sunday.—APP
RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif receives Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at the Nur Khan Airbase here on Sunday.—APP

ISLAMABAD: Newly-elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in the capital on Sunday on a three-day visit.

Mr Sirisena’s visit is his first to Pakistan, on the invitation of President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Take a look:Footprints: Five minutes with Sri Lanka's former president

The PM received the Sri Lankan president and his delegation at the Nur Khan Airbase. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and other top officials were also present.

On his arrival, a 21-gun salute was presented to the Sri Lankan president and first lady. President Sirisena first landed at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, where he was received by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and senior officials. After a brief stopover, he left for Islamabad on a special Pakistan International Airlines flight.

Mr Sirisena will meet President Mamnoon Hussain at the presidency on Monday, where a state banquet will be hosted in honour of the guest.

The prime minister will hold official talks with President Sirisena and a number of MoUs and agreements of cooperation in various fields will be signed.

National Assembly Spea­ker Ayaz Sadiq and senior ministers will call on the Sri Lankan leader on Monday.

Being members of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and Commonwealth, Pakistan and Sri Lanka cooperated closely in the past.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have a strong relationship based on defence cooperation.

Officials said that now both countries would be striving to build trade and economic relations with each other.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...