ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday reached Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit on the invitation of his Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He was welcomed at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake by Sri Lankan counterpart. The Pakistan premier also inspected Guard of Honour at the airport.
Imran Khan is the first head of state to visit the country since the Covid-19 pandemic.
That's how Colombo is welcoming Prime Minister Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/0wMULFcvCr
— MNA (@Engr_Naveed111) February 23, 2021
Red Carpet , Guard of honour .. What?
He's being presented with Guns' Salute at Colombo. #PMIKinSriLanka
— MNA (@Engr_Naveed111) February 23, 2021
India has allowed Pakistan to use its airspace for PM Imran’s visit to the South Asian country. Pakistan had another option to use Sri Lankan airline for the premier’s visit on cards if Delhi refused to open its airspace.
The Pakistani premier, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including members of the Cabinet and senior officials, will hold meetings with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during the visit.
He will also lead the delegation-level talks, covering all areas of cooperation between the two countries, including trade, investment, health, education, agriculture, science, and technology besides defence and culture tourism.
The prime minister 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 and the two countries share commonality of views on a wide range of international and regional issues.
