Pakistan President Zardari due today

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today, 27 November, on a four-day official visit as the Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna’s visit to the island concludes.

The Pakistan Government said President Zardari’s visit from 27-30 November at the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was part of a long tradition of high-level contacts and exchanges between the two countries.  During the visit, the two Presidents are expected to hold extensive talks on bilateral, regional and global issues.

According to an Associated Press of Pakistan report, Zardari will interact with members of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association.  The visiting President will address the Business Forum comprising Sri Lankan businessmen and corporate leaders and interact with high-ranking Sri Lankan dignitaries, the report said.  Pakistan has been a close ally of Sri Lanka during the 2004 tsunami and war on LTTE providing technical expertise, training and military equipment.

The two countries have long-standing cordial bilateral relations and have been actively engaged in all important fields including trade and commerce.