Thursday, 26th June 2014
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, commencing his four-day state visit to the Maldives and Seychelles, arrived at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male last evening. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa is accompanying the President.
Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim warmly welcomed President Rajapaksa and the First Lady at the airport. President Rajapaksa was accorded a 21-gun salute by the National Defense Force of the Maldives.
The National anthems of Sri Lanka and the the Maldives were played, followed T by a Guard of Honour. The welcoming ceremony comprised of cultural items preformed by students. President Rajapaksa and the delegation then proceeded to the President's Office in Male with a cultural procession.
During his stay in the Maldives, President Rajapaksa will hold bilateral discussions with the Maldivian President and also call on former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Official discussions between the delegations of the two countries will also be held after which Sri Lanka and the Maldives will sign bilateral agreements on health and investment.
The Maldivian President will also host a state banquet for President Rajapaksa and the First Lady.
External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris. Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Members of Parliament A.H.M. Azwar, Lohan Ratwatta and Udith Lokubandara, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Kshenuka Senewiratne are accompanying the President.
From: http://www.dailynews.lk:8082/?q=local/president-rajapaksa-begins-state-visit-maldives
