Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Colombo on Thursday to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013).

The prime minister was greeted by Sri Lanka Freedom Party leader and cabinet minister Nimal Siripala de Silva at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

The Commonwealth summit which is to last for three days will start on Friday.

The CHOGM is a biennial event wherein Commonwealth Heads of Government meet to discuss global and Commonwealth issues. The CHOGM 2013 has a special theme: growth with equity-inclusive development.

Other events like the Commonwealth Business Forum, the Commonwealth Peoples Forum and the Commonwealth Youth Forum are being held in conjunction with CHOGM 2013.

In Colombo, Prime Minister Sharif will meet Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The premier will also meet other world leaders on the summit’s sidelines.

Pakistan is one of the eight founding members of the Commonwealth, and is steadily enhancing its relations with member states.