PRESIDENT RECEIVES A WARM WELCOME IN THEMALDIVES

President Rajapaksa who arrived in the Maldives to participate in the SAARC Summit has received a rousing welcome.

Giving details from the Maldives, our special representative Mahinda Bibile said that the President arrived in the Addu City this morning in a special Sri Lankan flight to participate in the Summit. The President and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa were accorded a very warm welcome by Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed. Thereafter the Maldivian President conducted President Rajapaksa over the red carpet to the special dias. The President was then accorded a Guard of Honour by the Maldivian troops. During the inspection of the Guard, a very sensitive occasion was recorded. The President came across a soldier holding Sri Lanka’s National flag. The President then bowed.
Thereafter the Maldivian leader introduced state representatives to the Sri Lankan President. It was this afternoon that both leaders commenced direct talks. During these talks the President expressed his gratitude to the Maldivian President and as a whole to the Maldivians for the support given to Sri Lanka even in the world. In return the Maldivian leader expressed his gratitude to President Rajapaksa.
Several programmes which would consolidate relations between the two countries commenced on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit, under the patronage of the Sri Lankan President and at the invitation of the Maldivian leader.