President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shakes the hand of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena as he is welcomed during the latter's arrival at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte walks beside Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena during a welcome ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019 as part of his State Visit to the Philippines. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena wave to some elementary school school students as they waved the flags of Sri Lanka and the Philippines during the welcome ceremony for the Sri Lankan President at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena wave to some elementary school school students as they waved the flags of Sri Lanka and the Philippines during the welcome ceremony for the Sri Lankan President at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena review the colors as the latter was accorded military honors upon his arrival at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019. ROLANDO MAILO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte walks beside Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena during a welcome ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019 as part of his State Visit to the Philippines. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena pause to admire a group of cultural performers during the welcome ceremony for the Sri Lankan President at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presents a portrait painting of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena as a token during the latter's visit to the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019 as part of his State Visit to the Philippines. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte accompanies Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena as the latter signs the official Palace guest book upon his arrival at the Malacañan Palace on January 16, 2019. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MALACAÑAN — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomed Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena as he was received at the Palace’s Kalayaan grounds on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 16.
The Sri Lankan leader, who is in the Philippines for a five-day state visit, was accorded with military honors and was welcomed with a 21-gun salute.
Grade three and four students from Gen. Licerio Geronimo Elementary School, Trinidad Tecson Elementary School, and Moises Salvador Elementary School in Manila were also present in welcoming the Sri Lankan President.
The two leaders briefly watched various performances by Filipino cultural dancers and musicians before they proceeded to the Palace.
At the Reception Hall, President Sirisena signed the official guest book where he wrote: “This historic state visit would lead to stronger bonds of friendship, enhance mutual understanding and reinvigorate cooperation for the benefit of our two peoples.”
President Sirisena arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday evening, and he will be in the country from January 15 to 19.
Part of Sirisena’s itinerary is a visit to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Laguna.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Sri Lanka has been established since 1961.
