President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has this afternoon met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his official visit to New Delhi, India.
At the meeting, President Yameen expressed his appreciation to President Rajapaksa and the Sri Lankan Government for the efforts made in strengthening the existing close relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Highlighting the success of his State Visit to Sri Lanka in January 2014, President Yameen noted that his visit had further flourished the bonds between the two countries. Speaking in this regard, President Yameen expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan President for Sri Lanka’s prompt response in times of need. He also expressed his confidence that the Maldives would continue to receive Sri Lanka’s support and assistance in the future.
President Yameen noted the high regard President Rajapaksa accorded to the Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka. He assured the Sri Lankan President of the Maldives’ support to Sri Lanka in the international arena.
President Rajapaksa highlighted the long existing close relations between the two countries, and noted that the recent visits made by President Yameen and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had further heightened the bilateral bonds between the two countries. President Rajapaksa also underscored the importance of holding a meeting of the Sri Lanka-Maldives joint commission, for further strengthening the relations.
President Rajapaksa noted the Maldives’ support to Sri Lanka in the global platform. He briefed President Yameen on the measures being taken by the Sri Lankan Government to resolve their domestic issues.
Further, President Yameen and President Rajapaksa noted that the invitation for Heads of State of the SAARC member countries, to attend the inauguration of the Indian Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi, was an important step taken to strengthen the relations among all SAARC member countries.
At the meeting, President Yameen reiterated the invitation for President Rajapaksa to make an official visit to the Maldives. President Rajapaksa accepted the invitation, and assured the President that he would make a visit at his earliest convenience.
