Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in Australia, a short while ago. 

He was welcomed at the Melbourne Airport by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. 

This is the first visit by a Sri Lankan Prime Minister to Australia in 60 years, Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said.

The Prime Minister will be in Australia for four days. 

Wickremesinghe and his delegation will participate in several bilateral talks in Melbourne and Canberra with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and several other ministers of the Australian government.Several agreements strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and Australia will also be signed during these talks, stated a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Sri Lankan delegation includes Prof. Maithri Wickremesinghe, Irrigation and Water Management Minister Vijith Vijayamuni Soysa, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva, Secretary to the Prime Minister Saman Ekanayake, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Saman Athaudahetty and Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Sandra Perera.