Embarking on a tour of East Asia, Mrs Bandaranaike first visited Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Hussein Onn. During discussions with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamed and Home Minister, Tun Muhammad Ghazali Shafie appreciation was expressed on behalf of the Government of Malaysia to Mrs Bandaranaike and the Sri Lankan Government for the permission granted for a hijacked plane from Kuala Lumpur to refuel in Colombo.She was also received by the King, Sultan Yahya Petra and visited the Free Trade Zone in Malaysia.