Duterte meets Sri Lankan President Sirisena in Malacañang

President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Malacañang. DARRYL JOHN ESGUERRA

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday afternoon officially welcomed visiting Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Malacañan Palace.

Sirisena arrived in the Palace around 4:30 p.m. for the official welcome ceremony where he was greeted by Duterte and other Cabinet members.

Sirisena arrived here in Manila on Tuesday evening for his five-day state visit.

READ: Sri Lankan President Sirisena arrives in PH for 5-day state visit

The two leaders are expected to hold bilateral discussions and witness the signing and exchange of agreements between the two governments.

In signing Malacañang’s guestbook, Sirisena wrote that his “historic state visit will lead to stronger bonds of friendship, enhance mutual understanding and reinvigorate cooperation, for the benefit of our two peoples.”

Duterte is also set to host a state banquet for Sirisena.

After his engagements in Malacañang, Sirisena is scheduled to visit the Asian Development Bank in Pasig City and the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna.

He is likewise expected to meet the Sri Lankan community here in Manila. /je