ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif embarked on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka on Monday at the invitation of the President of Sri Lanka, state television said.

During the visit, the prime minister will hold official talks with the President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena on bilateral matters.

Both countries are to sign an agreement on countering money laundering and terrorism, the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo has said.

The Pakistan High Commission said that several other bilateral instruments in the areas of health, science and technology, trade, statistics and culture are envisaged to be signed during the visit.

Parliamentarians, Religious leaders and Businessmen from Sri Lanka will call on the prime minister during the visit, the Foreign Ministry said in Islamabad.

The prime minister will also address a gathering of Ministers, Parliamentarians, Senior Officials, top Business Persons and members of the Diplomatic corps.

Being members of the regional grouping, SAARC, and Commonwealth, Pakistan and Sri Lanka cooperate closely and coordinate with each other on issues of common interest and regional and international concern.