Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid concluded his official visit to Sri Lanka late Wednesday.
Minister Shahid paid courtesy calls on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wikremesinghe, former President and opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, and Vajira Abeywardhane, the Minister of Internal and Home Affairs, Provincial Council and Local Government of Sri Lanka.
The minister conveyed condolences on behalf of Maldives to the government and people of Sri Lanka, over the terror attacks on Easter Sunday, expressing sympathies to the families of the bereaved.
During the meetings, he also exchanged views on countering terrorism in the region and reiterated the Maldivian government's commitment in combating terrorism and violent extremism.
Shahid further highlighted the changes to Sri Lanka's resident visa regime, which necessitate travellers to obtain resident visas prior to entering the country. While the changes are scheduled to be implemented on May 15, the minister underscored the need to resolve and ease visa procedures for Maldivians travelling to Sri Lanka, for the mutual benefit of the two nations.
Shahid also met with former Secretary to Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and former Speaker Chamal Rajapakse.
Leaving #Colombo after very productive meetings with #SriLanka leadership and greatly impressed by the resilience of the Sri Lankan spirit. #Maldives assures it’s complete solidarity and will always remain a true friend! pic.twitter.com/2ShMIWNFom
— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) May 8, 2019
Prior to his departure, Shahid declared in a tweet that his meetings with the Sri Lankan leadership were productive, and reiterated that Maldives will remain in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka.
He was accompanied on the trip by Omar Abdul Razzak, the Ambassador of Maldives in Sri Lanka.
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