Singapore PM in town today to sign FTA

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will arrive in Sri Lanka today on a three-day visit which will include the signing of a crucial free trade agreement.

The first visit by a Singapore Premier in 13 years comes on the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena.

The Singaporean Premier will be received at the Presidential Secretariat on the morning of 23 January with an official guard of honour and gun salute that will be followed by official bilateral discussions with President Sirisena. A free trade agreement between Sri Lanka and Singapore will then be signed following the talks.

During the visit, Prime Minister Lee will also meet Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and discuss economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. The visiting Prime Minister is scheduled to attend a business forum at which leading businesspeople and investors from both Singapore and Sri Lanka will be present.

Sri Lanka and Singapore established diplomatic relations in 1979 and enjoy a robust bilateral relationship that has been built on mutual understanding, respect and personal contacts.