President Maithripala Sirisena left for Australia yesterday commencing a three-day state visit on the invitation of the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

During this visit, President Sirisena is scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and will also hold several other high level bilateral meetings.

The two leaders will explore the possibilities of promoting bilateral trade, agriculture, and security between the two countries.

During this visit of the President, the Government of Sri Lanka will enter into several bilateral agreements with Australia, strengthening economic and scientific cooperation between  the two countries. 

It is after six decades that a state leader of Sri Lanka,is visiting Australia on a State visit and President Maithripala Sirisena is the first leader of Sri Lanka to visit Australia since the country became a Republic.

Prior to him, it was Hon. Sir John Kothalawala, who had visited Australia following the setting up of Colombo Plan in 1954.

This invitation is a boost to Sri Lanka's middle-path foreign policy under the leadership of the President Maithripala Sirisena.

A delegation including Minister John Amaratunga, Deputy Ministers Harsha de Silva, Ajith P. Perera, and Member of Parliament Harshana Rajakaruna, accompanied the President on this tour.