Former president and newly elected Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed, along with a top delegation of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), will attend a special function in Sri Lanka this month as a mark of the party's solidarity with the neighbouring country.
In a statement, the main party of the ruling coalition stated that Nasheed will be accompanied by members of the MDP Cabinet, Parliamentary Group, and Governing Council at the function in Sri Lanka slated for June 15.
Describing Sri Lanka as the Maldives’ "closest ally", MDP highlighted that Sri Lanka has long contributed to the sectors of education, health, trade and general development in Maldives.
The party also stated that Sri Lanka "has especially been an invaluable friend to this party in its greatest time of need", noting that founders and leaders of MDP, including Nasheed, sought protection in the neighbouring nation when they were under threat. Nasheed had based most of his political activities in Sri Lanka after he sought political asylum in the United Kingdom following a 13-year jail sentence over terrorism charges. Several politicians that served in top positions during MDP's former government also resided in Sri Lanka in self exile.
"In doing so, successive Sri Lankan governments have protected democracy and political pluralism for the Maldivian people at various stages of the Maldives’ recent history", said MDP in its statement.
The party declared that it will always stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka, and expressed confidence that the Sri Lankan authorities have taken all necessary measures to restore safety and security in the country, in the wake of the Easter terror attacks on April 21.
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