Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last night hosted a banquet in honour of visiting Sri Lanka President, Maithripala Sirisena at Seri Perdana Complex, Putrajaya.

Najib greeted Sirisena upon his arrival at Seri Perdana and ushered the Sri Lankan President to the Banquet Hall where the official banquet was held.

Also present were Malaysia's Human Resources Minister, Datuk Seri Richard Riot, Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture, Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Home Ministry secretary-general, Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim.

Guests were entertained with music and dances by the Permata Seni children.

Earlier yesterday, Najib and Sirisena witnessed the signing of five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in tourism related activities; youth development; culture, arts and heritage; recruitment, employment and repatriation of workers.

The Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) signed a MOU on scientific research and technical cooperation.

Sirisena arrived here Thursday for his maiden three-day official visit to Malaysia since assuming the presidency in January 2015.

(Bernama)