The visiting Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage has paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The meeting was held this morning at the President’s Office.
President Yameen and Vice Admiral Jayanath discussed ways to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in strengthening mutually shared priorities of maritime security, counter terrorism, marine pollution and commercial piracy.
Vice Admiral Jayanath congratulated President Yameen on his recent election victory and expressed his confidence that the Maldives would thrive under his leadership. He also assured that the Sri Lankan Navy would continue to work closely with the MNDF in ensuring maritime safety and security around Maldivian territorial waters.
Vice Admiral Jayanath also briefed the President on the ongoing trilateral joint exercise between the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India.
Noting that the Maldives and Sri Lanka enjoyed ‘excellent’ relations in the area of defence and maritime security, President Yameen thanked the Sri Lankan Government for their cooperation, especially in the area of capacity building of Maldivian Navy to protect the EEZ of the country.
President Yameen was joined at the call by the Minister of Defence and National Security, Colonel (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim, Minister at the President’s Office, Hon. Mohamed Hussain Shareef and the Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Ahmed Shiyam.
