Sri Lankan president leaves for China on state visit

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena left for China on Wednesday on a four-day state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the President's Office here said.

The visit will be Sirisena's second official overseas tour after assuming office following a win in presidential elections in January.

President Sirisena was accompanied by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

On Thursday, Sirisena is scheduled to hold discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping after which the two sides are expected to sign several key agreements, an official from the Foreign Ministry in Colombo said.

"Since the establishment of full diplomatic ties in 1957, Sri Lanka has continuously maintained close and friendly relations with China. The two countries have regularly exchanged high-level visits resulting in a variety of agreements. China has emerged as one of Sri Lanka's key development partners in the recent years," the government said in a statement.

Sirisena is also expected to attend the Boao Forum in China's Hainan Province before returning to his country on Monday.