Friday 27th June 2014
President Mahinda Rajapaksahaving discussion with former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in Male
Long-time former President of the Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Wednesday evening called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on a state visit to the island state at the President's Office in Male. During the friendly and cordial discussion, the two veteran leaders exchanged views on a number of matters of mutual interest.
While appreciating each country's support and assistance to the other, they expressed satisfaction over continuous bilateral relations.
"Sri Lanka is our closest friend," former President Gayoom said, "We have been living and working as good neighbours for a long time. I hope that this relationship will continue."
Both leaders noted that undue influences by big powers continue to persist.
"Money plays a major role in this exercise," they observed.
External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vaas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Secretary to the Ministry External Affairs Kshenuka Senewiratne were present on the occasion.
http://www.dailynews.lk:8082/?q=local/former-maldivian-president-calls-president-rajapaksa
