Thursday, 26 June 2014 00:28
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived in the Maldives yesterday on an official visit at the invitation of Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
The Sri Lankan President and First Lady were greeted on arrival at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male, by President Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim.
President Rajapaksa was given a ceremonial welcome at the airport with a 21-gun salute and a Guard of Honour by the Maldives National Defence Force.
At the welcoming ceremony, President Rajapaksa was introduced to Ministers, and other senior officials of the Maldives’ Government. The members of the Sri Lankan delegation were then introduced to President Yameen.
Later, the two Presidents held official bilateral talks on issues of mutual interest including trade, tourism and defence cooperation between the two countries. Discussions were also held on the regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The two sides are to sign several agreements on tourism, health, civil aviation and defence, President Yameen’s office said.
After a two-day state visit in maldives, President Rajapaksa is scheduled to leave for Seychelles where he will declare open the new Sri Lankan Embassy.
