Five MOUs between Sri Lanka and the Philippines

Colombo (News1st): President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a state tour to the Philippines held bilateral discussions with his Philippine Counterpart Rodrigo Duterte. The discussions were held at the Philippine President's official residence. President Maithripala Sirisena arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, yesterday (January 15) and was warmly received by a special delegation, including the Trade and Investment Minister of Philippines. The head of state is visiting the Philippines following an invitation extended by his Philippine Counterpart. Bilateral discussions commenced between the two leaders at the Malacanang Palace. Attention was drawn towards establishing a Philippine embassy in Colombo with the intention of strengthening the relationship between the two countries. The President's media division said that discussions were also held about establishing a new economic council to build economic and trade ties. 5 MoUs were also signed during the visit with the objective of strengthening ties between the two countries in tourism, security, agriculture, and educational sectors. President Maithripala Sirisena also paid floral tributes to the Philippines’s National War Heroes Monument. President Sirisena is also due to sign several agreements with the Asian Development Bank and the International Rice Research Institute.