President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Shanghai, China, this morning, beginning a visit during which he will attend the 4th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

The President was welcomed at the Pudong International Airport in Shanghai by Deputy Secretary-General of Shanghai Municipal Government Mr. Huang Rong, Executive Vice President of Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC) Mr. Wang Xiaoshu and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in China Mr. Ranjith Uyangoda.

President Rajapaksa will attend the 4th CICA Summit tomorrow (May 21) and is expected to address the gathering, the President’s International Media Unit said.

“In addition to participating in the Conference, the President will also hold several bilateral discussions with heads of state who are also in the country for the CICA Summit,” the statement said.

Later this evening, President Rajapaksa will attend the welcome banquet and evening performance being hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, President’s Chief of Staff Mr. Gamini Senarath, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in China Mr. Ranjith Uyangoda and Lt. Yoshitha Rajapaksa are accompanying the President.