President on official tour to Philippines

COLOMBO (News 1st) - President Maithripala Sirisena left the country on a five-day official visit to the Philippines. The President Media Division noted that the President was invited by the Philipino president Rodrigo Duterte. The trip will focus on enhancing the political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries. President Maithripala Sirisena is also due to sign several new MOUs. Bilateral discussions between the two Heads of States are due tomorrow (January 16) where the expansion of the long term relationship between the two countries to new sectors will be a focal matter of discussion. The President is also due to engage on a tour to the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank in Manila and also the International Rice Research Institute. It is also noteworthy, that this is officially the first invitation extended to a Sri Lankan leader by the Philippines after 1978.