President Mohamed Nasheed has today hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Speaking at the luncheon, Rajapaksa reaffirmed the “friendship and goodwill” of Sri Lanka people towards the people of Maldives.
He also said the relations between the two countries, in times good and bad, had strengthened and that the excellent people-to-people contact has been “a strong foundation” of close bilateral ties.
In his remarks, President Nasheed too highlighted the historical relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
He noted the many similarities between the two peoples and said the Maldives “will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Sri Lanka”.
He said:
“It doesn’t matter who is in government of the Maldives or who is in government in Sri Lanka. We are same people and we will stand together and we will stay together”.
Speaking on the political situation in the Maldives, President said he held discussions with political parties on the issue and announced that he would appoint a cabinet later today.
