24 Aug 2012
President Dr Mohamed Waheed said that his current visit to Sri Lanka has been a very important opportunity to open a new chapter of close cooperation between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The President made this remark while briefing the media this evening, on his current official visit to Sri Lanka.
At the press conference held at Hilton Colombo, where a high number of Sri Lankan and international media personnel were in attendance, the President stated that that this trip has been very successful.
President Waheed expressed his gratitude to President Rajapaksa, the government and the people of Sri Lanka for the warm welcome and excellent hospitality received by President Waheed, First Lady Madam Ilham Hussain and the Maldivian delegation. The President also briefed the media on the main issues discussed between the government officials of Maldives and Sri Lanka during the visit.
In his statement, the President highlighted the steps being taken by the government to overcome the economic challenges being faced and to stabilise the political climate in the country.
The President noted that even though there was a decline in the tourism industry recently, the work done by the government together with the private sector has enabled immense recovery. Speaking in this regard, the President further noted the achievement acquired in the development of the aviation sector in the Maldives.
ENDS