PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte received Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena in formal ceremonies held at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, January 16.
Sirisena, who is in the country for a five-day state visit, arrived at the Palace's Kalayaan grounds around 4 p.m., and was officially welcomed by Duterte and other Philippine officials.
After the welcome rites, Duterte and Sirisena are expected to hold bilateral discussions that will focus on areas of "mutual interest, including political, economic, agricultural, cultural, and people-to-people engagement."
The two leaders are also expected to witness the signing of exchange of agreements that will be held at Malacañan's Reception Hall at around 5 p.m.
Malacañang has yet to divulge the details of the agreements that are expected to be signed between the two countries.
Duterte and Sirisena are also expected to issue a joint statement following the exchange of agreements.
Sirisena's visit is the first by a Sri Lankan president serving both as head of state and government under Sri Lanka's 1987 Constitution.
Prior to Sirisena's visit, Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the only other Sri Lankan leader to visit the Philippines, in 1976, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1961.
While in the host country, the Sri Lankan Leader will meet with the Asian Development Bank in Mandaluyong, and the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños.
Sirisena is also scheduled to meet with the Sri Lankan community in Manila. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)
He said there was no need for Duterte to prove his courageousness and selflessness, noting that the Chief Executive was already depicted as "strong and decisive action man" by majority of Filipinos.
He also pointed out that Duterte, even during his mayorship in Davao City, was not afraid to "offer his life" as a public servant.
"The President does not have to prove anything about his being a courageous and selfless public servant. Such gutsy reputation precedes him and is one of the reasons which enthralled the Filipino masses who longed for a strong and decisive action man as their country’s top leader which they have not experienced with his predecessor," Duterte's spokesman said.
"We thus ask the good bishop to be more judicious when it comes to oratories against the President, especially when it comes to challenging the latter in his element, so as to avoid being embarrassed," he added. (SunStar Philippines)