Dec 02, Ankara: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa was warmly welcomed by the President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul at the President Palace in Ankara this morning. President with his Turkish counterpart inspected a Guard of Honour and later attended a press conference.

Rajapaksa held bilateral discussions with the Turkish President on trade, tourism and industrial and cultural relations between the two countries. Turkey is a major buyer of Sri Lankan tea. Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and his Turkish counterpart signed several bilateral agreements between the two countries. He is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Speaker Koksal Toptan and several other top level Turkish representatives, today before traveling to Istanbul tomorrow. President Rajapaksa accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Ministers Rohitha Bogollagama, President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Coordinating Secretary Sajin Vas Gunawardena arrived in Ankara, Turkey on Monday night for a three-day state visit at an invitation of Turkish President.

President also visited the Atatürk Mausoleum in Ankara today to attend a wreath-laying ceremony.

[Picture by Sudath Silva]