Jun 30, Kyiv: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on a five-day official visit to Ukraine met Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych today in the capital Kyiv.

Sri Lankan President was accorded a ceremonious welcome by his Ukrainian counterpart with Military Orchestra performing the anthems of the two countries as the two Presidents passed a Honor Guard. The welcoming ceremony ended with mutual introduction of the official delegations of Ukraine and Sri Lanka.

The two leaders held a private conversation prior to engaging in Ukrainian-Sri Lankan expanded talks chaired by the two Presidents.

President Yanukovych praising President Rajapaksa's official visit to Ukraine expressed hope the visit would open new avenues of bilateral corporation.

"I hope your visit will allow us to open a new page in relations between Ukraine and Sri Lanka. We are eager to offer you different ways of cooperation, above all, of course, the trade-economic," President Yanukovych has said adding that Sri Lankan market looks very promising to Ukraine.

President Rajapaksa thanking the President Yanukovych for the invitation to visit his country said his official visit to Ukraine will strengthen relations between the two states.

Both leaders agreed that the joint business forum scheduled for this afternoon today is of importance to build closer ties between the business communities of Ukraine and Sri Lanka.