[By Janaka Alahapperuma]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa commencing his five-day official visit to Tanzania and Seychelles arrived in Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania this morning (Thursday) on June 27.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete warmly received his Sri Lankan counterpart at the airport. A little Tanzanian girl presented a bouquet of flowers to the President on his arrival while native traditional dancers performed on the side line of the colorful welcoming ceremony. The President was also accorded a Guard of Honour and gun salute.

During his visit to Dar es Salaam, the Capital City of Tanzania, President Rajapaksa will hold bilateral discussions with his Tanzanian counterpart and sign several bilateral agreements of understanding with Tanzania to strengthen the economic, trade and tourism relations between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan President is also expected to participate in the International Smart Partnership Dialogue Forum for Developing Countries scheduled to be held in the Tanzanian capital from 28 June to 01 July.

This visit has been planned in keeping with the government policy on developing new ambassador relations with African nations and aims to seek the assistance of African countries when Sri Lanka is facing unfair influence from the international community.

This is President Rajapaksa’s first visit to the country as well as the first visit of any Sri Lankan leader to United Republic of Tanzania. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Public Relations and Public Affairs Mervyn Silva, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin Vaas Gunawardene, Members of Parliament Lohan Ratwatte and Lakshman Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Governour of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal accompanied the president.

Pix by: Sudath Silva