Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Sri Lanka as part of his Asian tour a short while ago.

He arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, from Pakistan. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Aviation Minister Reginald Cooray received the Emir at the airport.

He will hold discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena on upgrading ties between Qatar and Sri Lanka. "During his visit to Sri Lanka, Memoranda of Understanding covering youth development activities, development of sports as well as exchange of information, communications and information technology will be signed between Sri Lanka and Qatar," the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Colombo recently said in a statement.

The Emir will also meet Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and other senior officers of the government.

He is scheduled to leave the country later this afternoon.