Secretary-General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Esala Ruwan Weerakoon has departed after concluding his official visit to the Maldives. He ​was seen off at the Velana International Airport by Ambassador at Large Ahmed Saleem, Chief of Protocol Aishath Shaan Shakir, and Joint Secretary Fathimath Ghina.
During his visit to the Maldives, Secretary-General Weerakoon paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the President's Office on October 11. During the meeting, President Solih expressed his desire to collaborate with SAARC in the fight against terrorism and violence against women and girls. They expressed assurance in further cultivating the existing ties and working together to achieve mutually favourable outcomes.
Secretary-General Weerakoon also called on Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and Ambassador at Large and former Secretary-General of SAARC Ahmed Saleem at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The secretary-general also called on former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and President of the Civil Service Commission Mohamed Nasih.
During his visit, Secretary-General Weerakoon was accompanied by his spouse Krishanti Weerakoon and Director of Social Affairs Division at SAARC Secretariat Ismail Mamdhooh.