Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in Karachi on Sunday, kicking off a three-day state visit, Radio Pakistan reported.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and other senior provincial officials welcomed him.

He will leave for Islamabad to meet Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, who will receive him at the Benazir International Airport this evening.

This is President Sirisena’s first visit to Pakistan, which was agreed upon the request of President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

On Monday, President Sirisena will meet President Hussain, who is scheduled to host a state banquet in his honour, whereas Nawaz will hold official talks with the president.

Following the talks, a number Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed along with agreements of cooperation between the two countries.

Senior ministers are also set to call on the visiting dignitary.

The president left the island at 1.20pm on Flight UL 183 of SriLankan Airlines.
(With inputs from The Express Tribune)