The Government of the Maldives has hosted an official welcoming ceremony for the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe and his spouse, Professor Maitree Wickremasinghe, at the Republic Square today, initiating the formalities of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's first Official Visit to the Maldives since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s election to the Presidency.
The Prime Minister and his spouse was received by His Excellency President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed at the Presidential Jetty in Male', and treated to a welcoming performance by Maldivian school students prior to being escorted to the Saluting Dais and a 7-gun salute being fired in his honour by the Maldivian National Defense Force (MNDF). The National anthems of both Maldives and Sri Lanka were played by the Maldivian military brass band.
With a guard of honour assembled, host dignitaries comprised of the Maldives’ Government’s senior officials, and visiting dignitaries comprised of the Sri Lankan Government’s senior-most representatives, jointly presented themselves. After the conclusion of the welcoming courtesies, the Prime Minister was escorted to the President’s Office with a cultural procession, and upon arrival to the President's Office, the Prime Minister signed the Visitor's Book.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with President Solih for Official Talks, following which the two leaders will preside over an agreement exchange ceremony and deliver a Joint Press Statement. President Solih will also host a banquet in the Prime Minister’s honour later this afternoon.
While here, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will also be chairing the 4th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC), inviting leaders and senior representatives from across the Indian Ocean to discuss and deliberate on the traditional and non-traditional security threats confronting our region.
