President Widodo in Colombo on two-day visit

Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived yesterday on a two-day state visit on the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart Maithripala Sirisena.Widodo was to be accorded a ceremonial welcome with guard of honour and 21-gun salute at the Presidential Secretariat, Xinhua news agency reported.Both leaders were to hold discussions later on a range of issues of mutual interest. Several MoUs will be inked between the two countries.Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will also hold discussions on economic, trade and investment co-operation with Widodo.Sri Lanka and Indonesia established diplomatic relations 65 years ago and have had cordial bilateral relations since then, the foreign ministry said.Sirisena paid a state visit to Indonesia in 2016.Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, left, shakes hands with Indonesian President Joko Widodo as his wife Iriana looks on during a bilateral ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo yesterday.