ISLAMABAD: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha would reach Pakistan on a state visit from February 10 to 12 at the invitation of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

During his three day visit, President Rajapaksha will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Discussions will be held between the two sides for strengthening political, defence, cultural, tourism, media, economic, business and trade relations while forging strong bonds between the two nations.

A number of bilateral agreements are also expected to be signed between the two sides.

According to a press release, the visit is aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between the people of the two countries which date back to the days of the Buddhist civilisation and have been marked by a shared interest in regional peace and stability and the fight against militancy.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1948, the two countries have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relationship.

The Sri Lankan delegation will include Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, monitoring member of the Sri Lankan parliament Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Secretary to the President of Sri Lanka Lalith Weeratunga, Sri Lankan foreign secretary, and President’s Spokesman and International Media Advisor Mr. Bandula Jayasekara, besides other senior officials.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will also visit the Taxilla Museum and Buddhist heritage site in Taxilla which dates back to the Gandraha period and contains the ruins of the Gandhāran city of Takaśilā which was an important Buddhist centre. The ruins of Taxila contain buildings and Buddhist stupas located over a large area. (Source: Pakistan Today)