Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

by Surekha Galagoda

President Mahinda Rajapakse will lead a high-level official delegation to Pakistan from March 31 to April 2 on the invitation of Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

The Sri Lankan delegation will include Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, Mass Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Fisheries, Housing Development Minister A. L. M. Athaullah, Deputy Mass Media and Information Minister Cegu Isadeen and MP Faizer Musthafa. The President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Treasury Secretary Dr P.B. Jayasundera, Foreign Ministry Secretary H. M. G. S. Palihakkara and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse will accompany the President.

During his stay the President will hold talks with the Pakistan President and the Prime Minister where Pakistan, Sri Lanka bilateral relations will be discussed.

During the visit several agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed to strengthen the existing close bilateral relations in the different sectors. There are many agreements and MoUs in the pipeline and the Cultural exchange program which will come to an end this year will be extended for another five to six years said Press attache of the Pakistan High Commission Zahoor Ahmad Barlas.

He said that many agreements have already been signed between the two countries but for these to become operational there should be more awareness among the people of both countries.

The President will hold talks with Pakistan leaders on a range of bilateral matters, including avenues for further enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries and the progress made in the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which was operationalised in June 2005.

It is too early to analyse the impact of the FTA between the two countries. In 2005 Sri Lanka's exports to Pakistan increased by 10.05 while Pakistan's imports increased by 7.5% compared to the previous year, analysts said. There is much potential after the FTA was signed which is not exploited by the corporate sectors of the two countries. They hope the visit of President Rajapakse will change the ground.

In addition to the official program in Islamabad the President is expected to visit Lahore, and meet representatives of the business community in Karachi.President Rajapakse is scheduled to be in Karachi during the Expo Pakistan 2006 at the Karachi Expo Centre. Participants from 80 countries are taking part in the fair.

| News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security |
| Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries | Junior Observer |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.