Pakistani president starts four-day visit to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari began a four-day visit to Sri Lanka Saturday, officials said.

The president is due to call on his Sri Lanka counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa Sunday for talks on a range of topics, including trade and defence.

“The visit is aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between the peoples of the two countries which date back to the days of Buddhist civilisation and have been marked by a shared interest in regional peace and stability and the fight against militancy,” a statement from the Pakistani government said.

The Pakistani president will preside over the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Forum Monday.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar are among those accompanying the president.