Vijitha Herath has become the first Sri Lankan Foreign Minister to receive a Māori “Pōwhiri” welcome in New Zealand.

The ceremony took place today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade during his official visit.

The Foreign Minister is on a visit to New Zealand and Australia from May 26 to June 3.

He is scheduled to hold talks with Winston Peters and Penny Wong.

He will also attend the opening of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Wellington.