President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Madam Fathimath Ibrahim have today met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka.

At the meeting held prior to the official talks between the two countries, President Yameen thanked President Rajapaksa, the Government, and the people of Sri Lanka, for extending the invitation to make the visit. The President highlighted the close bilateral relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the meeting, President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed his appreciation to President Yameen and the First Lady on accepting the invitation. He also noted that the Maldives and Sri Lanka shared strong, brotherly bonds.