ANSWER: The Megillah relates that the Jews fought their enemies on the 13th day of Adar. They rested and celebrated on the following day, the 14th of Adar, and that is the day that Purim is generally observed. In the capital city of Shushan there were more enemies of the Jews. The battle lasted two days and they celebrated on the 15th of Adar. Shushan was a walled city and the Rabbis instituted that Shushan and other walled cities such as Yerushalayim would celebrate Purim on the 15th. This is known as Shushan Purim. (See Aruch Hashulchan 688:2-4)
The Jewish calendar is set in a manner that the 14th of Adar will never fall on Shabbos, while the 15th of Adar occasionally falls on Shabbos. Some of the mitzvos of Purim cannot be fulfilled on Shabbos, and they are observed instead on Friday and Sunday. In such instances, Purim in Yerushalayim spans three days, and that is why it is called Purim Meshulash (the three day Purim).
Here is the breakdown of mitzvos for each day of Purim Meshulash:
Friday: Chazal did not want the Megilah to be read on Shabbos out of concern that one might forget it is Shabbos and carry the Megillah in an area where there is no eiruv. Rather, they instituted that the Jews of Yerushalayim read the Megilah on Friday, in conformity with everyone else around the world. Chazal associated the mitzvah of Matanos L'evyonim (giving gifts to the poor) with the reading of the Megillah, so even in Yerushalayim, matanos l'evyonim is given on Friday, even though it is not yet Purim. Rav Ovadya Yosef zt"l (Yechave Daas 1:90) points out that if one has a minhag not to do melacha on Purim (and treat it like Chol Ham'oed), melacha may be performed on Friday (in Yerushalayim), since it is not actually Purim.
Shabbos: The Kerias HaTorah of Purim is read on Shabbos, as well as a special Haftorah for Purim. Al Hanissim is inserted in davening and bentching. It is proper to add a special dish to the Shabbos meal in honor of Purim. Since Megillah is not read on Shabbos, it is proper to discuss the halachos of Purim to remind oneself that it is Purim day (Mishnah Berurah 688:16).
Sunday: The Purim seuda takes place on Sunday and Mishloach Manos are distributed then as well. We follow the poskim who rule that Al Hanissim is not said in davening or bentching. However, since there is a minority opinion that it should be said, Rav Ovadya Yosef recommends that it be added at the end of bentching in the section of Harachaman. (Harachaman yaaseh imanu nisim v'niflaos k'mo she'asa la'avoseinu ba'yamim ha'heim ba'zman ha'zeh. Bi'yemei Mordechai…)
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