President to visit Pakistan on Feb 10

President Mahinda Rajapaksha will be visiting Pakistan on a state visit from February 10 to 12 at the invitation of Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari.

During his three day visit, President Rajapaksha will meet President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Discussions will be held between the two sides for strengthening political, defense, cultural, tourism, media, economic, business and trade relations while forging strong bonds between the two nations. A number of bilateral agreements are also expected to be signed between the two sides.

The visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between the people of the two countries which date back to the days of the Buddhist civilization and have been marked by a shared interest in regional peace and stability and the fight against militancy.

The Sri Lankan delegation will include Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Monitoring member of the parliament, Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Foreign Secretary, KarunatillakeAmunugama, and President’s Spokesman and International Media Advisor Mr Bandula Jayasekara, besides other senior officials.