Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga left for China early Sunday on a five-day state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, said the presidential office in a press release.  

The president was accompanied by Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike and Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.  

Kumaratunga will hold official talks with President Hu Jintao on bilateral issues covering areas of economic cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.   

She is also due to meet with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, other Chinese dignitaries and corporate leaders.  

Kumaratunga is scheduled to deliver a key note address on Monday at the 10th Anniversary Commemoration of the Fourth World Conference on Women.   

The president has also accepted an invitation sent by the China Center for Promotion of International Trade to address a seminar on trade, investment and tourism promotion.  

Several bilateral agreements in the fields of finance, tourism and culture are to be signed by the two governments during her visit, said the release.  

The two sides will also exchange diplomatic notes on the establishment of a Sri Lanka Consulate in Shanghai to facilitate business and tourism between the two countries. 

(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2005)