President Chandrika Kumaratunga left for
Pakistan yesterday evening. She is on a two-day visit and is
accompanied by Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, Housing and
Construction Minister Ms. Ferial Ashraff, Foreign Secretary H.
M. G. S. Palihakkara, BOI Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya, Tea
Board Chairman Niraj de Mel and other senor officials, a press
release from the Presidential Secretariat said.
During the President’s visit, a free trade
agreement (FTA) will be signed to boost trade between Sri Lanka
and Pakistan.
Minister Rantansiri Wickremanayake will act as Minister of
Defence till the President’s return. The Education portfolio
will be administered by Minister Mangala Samaraweera (School
Education) and Minister Dinesh Gunawardena Higher education),
the release said.
