President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has departed on a state visit to Sri Lanka this morning. President's three-day trip is in reply to an invitation by President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa in early December.
President’s Office revealed that during the visit, President Yameen will hold one-to-one deliberations with President Rajapaksa on charting the course for future Maldives-Sri Lanka bilateral ties and the two presidents will lead official bilateral talks between the two senior delegations. President Yameen will also meet with selected members of the Sri Lankan Cabinet.
President Rajapaksa and Sri Lankan First Lady Madam Shirathi Rajapaksa will also host President Yameen and First Lady Madam Fathimath Ibrahim Didi for a state luncheon at the President’s House.
During his stay, President Yameen will also meet the Maldivian community in Sri Lanka.
A business forum organized by the Sri Lankan-Maldivian Business Council will also be held as part of President Yameen’s visit. The forum, to discuss ways to enhance business and investment ties between Maldives and Sri Lanka, will be attended by senior business delegations of both countries.