MFA Press Statement: State Visit to Singapore by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, 14-17 February 2012

The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, will make a state visit to Singapore from 14 to 17 February 2012 at the invitation of President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

President Tan will host the official Welcome Ceremony and State Banquet in honour of President Rajapaksa on 15 February 2012. President Rajapaksa will pay a courtesy call on President Tan. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will have a meeting with President Rajapaksa. They will witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on investment cooperation between the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and the Singapore Business Federation. Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen will call on President Rajapaksa, who holds inter aliathe portfolio of Minister of Defence.

President Rajapaksa will visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens where an orchid will be named in his honour. He will also visit Marina Barrage and the Singapore Air Show 2012. He will receive a briefing by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports on policies relating to community relations and social harmony.

President Rajapaksa will be accompanied by his spouse Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Minister of External Affairs G L Peiris, Monitoring Member of Parliament Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Chairman of Board of Investment M M C Ferdinando, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Nalaka Godahewa as well as senior officials from the President's Office and the Ministry of External Affairs.

. . . . .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
13 FEBRUARY 2012