His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Madam Fathimath Ibrahim have received a grand welcome from the Sri Lankan Government. The ceremony was held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka.
President Yameen and Madam Fathimath Ibrahim were escorted to the Presidential Secretariat from Hilton Colombo, by ceremonial motorcycles and mounted escorts, along with some cultural performers.
At the Presidential Secretariat President Yameen and the First Lady were officially received by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka.
When both the Presidents ascended the saluting dais, they received the presidential salute. Next the Sri Lankan Army fired a 21 gun salute in honour of President Yameen, followed by which President Yameen inspected a guard of honour accorded to him by the Sri Lankan Navy.
At the official welcome ceremony, President Rajapaksa then proceeded to introduce to President Yameen and Madam Fathimath Ibrahim, the Sri Lankan dignitaries at the receiving line. President Yameen then introduced the Maldivian dignitaries to the Sri Lankan President and First Lady.
