President Zardari leaves for home

COLOMBO: President Asif Ali Zardari left here for home on Tuesday at the end of a four-day state visit that is being seen as having far-reaching impact on Pak-Lanka bilateral ties.

The President was seen off at the Bandranaike International Airport by Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M.Jayartne, ministers and other dignitaries.

President’s departure was with as much fanfare as was his arrival with a presentation of salute by the Sri Lankan armed forces. National anthems of the two countries were played as flags of Pakistan and Sri Lanka and huge portraits of the President adorned the tarmac.

President Zardari during his stay had an intensive series of meetings with the Sri Lankan leaders, offering them barter trade and deeper military cooperation.

The two sides inked a series of agreements to strengthen cooperation in Customs matters, abolishment of visa for officials and diplomats, agriculture, arts and an MoU for facilitation of business exchanges between the two Federations of Chambers and Commerce.

The two sides agreed on increased intelligence sharing and exchange of ideas on counter terrorism measures, with Pakistan offering to train and equip police services of Sri Lanka to fight terrorists.