Red carpet welcome for President in Seoul

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, on a four day official visit to South Korea on the invitation of South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, arrived in Seoul at 11.40 am Korean time yesterday. The President and the delegation were received by South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Sung Hung. President Rajapaksa was accorded a 21 gun salute following his arrival.

Also on hand to receive the Presidential delegation was Sri Lankan ambassador in Korea Tissa Wijeratne.

The Lankan leader is expected to hold bilateral talks with the South Korean President. They are also expected to sign several bi-lateral agreements that are mutually beneficial to both countries.

In addition, the President will also attend a meeting of South Korean entrepreneurs, meet business leaders of four leading Korean companies, address the Sri Lanka - South Korean Business Forum organised by the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

Accompanying the President are External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, MPs Sajin Vass Gunawardena, Nishantha Mutuhettigama, Roshan Ranasinghe and Sunny Rohana, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.