At the invitation of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka have arrived in the Maldives this afternoon. The Sri Lankan President and First Lady were greeted on arrival at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, by President Yameen and Madam Fathimath Ibrahim.
Later, on arrival at the Malé Official Jetty, President Rajapaksa and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa were greeted by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and his spouse Hawlath Faheem.
A bugle call was sounded on arrival of the Sri Lankan President and First Lady, after which President Yameen accompanied the visiting President to the saluting dais and a 21-Gun Salute was offered; followed by which the national anthems of Maldives and Sri Lanka were played. President Rajapaksa then proceeded to inspect a Guard of Honour by the Maldives National Defence Force.
At the ceremony, President Rajapaksa was introduced to Ministers, and other senior officials of the Maldives’ Government. The members of the Sri Lankan delegation were then introduced to President Yameen.
