In his remarks at the function to mark the Independence Day of Sri Lanka, President Dr Mohamed Waheed has thanked Sri Lankan for its cooperation and assistance to the Maldives in all areas of development.
Noting the immense contributions made by Sri Lankan teachers to the education of generations of Maldivians, President Waheed said it had “continued to strengthen our friendship for many years now”.
In addition to teachers, he noted with gratitude the service of many other Sri Lankan professionals in various industries.
He said:
“Almost every new venture that we start here, we find Sri Lankans assisting us, whether it is airline business, or tourism or fisheries”.
Speaking on the close bilateral relations between the two countries, President Waheed said he was confident that the “close bilateral relations that we have shared for so long… will continue to grow in the years to come”.
He highlighted the increase in people to people contact between the two countries. He said thanked Sri Lankan people for their hospitality to the many Maldivians who travel to Sri Lanka for medical and other services. He also expressed hope that this year the two countries would be able to further strengthen relations in the field of medical care for Maldivians in Sri Lanka.
At the function, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the Maldives Dickson S. Dela also spoke on the close relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
President Dr Mohamed Waheed had also sent messages of congratulations to the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka on the occasion of Sri Lanka’s Independence Day.
