Singaporean PM here on 3-day official visit, FTA signing today

Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday on a three-day official visit to the country following an invitation from President Maithripala Sirisena. 

The Free Trade Agreement between Sri Lanka and Singapore is scheduled to be signed today.

While Law and Order and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayake welcomed the Singaporean State Head at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday, President Sirisena is scheduled officially receive Loong at the Presidential Secretariat this morning with a Guard of Honour and a gun salute. The State Heads are then expected to have bilateral discussions.

The Premier will also meet Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and discuss economic, trade and investment opportunities between the two nations. 

A 35-member business delegation is accompanying the Singaporean Prime Minister, who will attend a business forum in Colombo where leading investors and businesspersons from Sri Lanka and Singapore will take part. 

Sri Lanka and Singapore have enjoyed strong bilateral relations, beginning from 1979 when diplomatic relations were established.

This is the first official visit of a Singaporean Prime Minister to Sri Lanka in 13 years.