Sri Lanka has assured President Nasheed of the Maldives of its readiness to provide assistance to the Maldives for the decentralization process of the local administration system, restructuring the public service and enhancing the capacity of the legal system and its human resources to implement the new Constitution with a view to promoting the rule of law.

This assurance was given in bi-lateral talks held between Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo on January 3, 09.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of taking all possible efforts at bilateral and multilateral fora to counter the menace of terrorism.

A Media Release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the visit to Sri Lanka of the President of the Maldives from January 2 to states: “President Mohamed Nasheed of the Republic of Maldives accompanied by First Lady Madam Laila Ali and a high level delegation including 11 Ministers and State Ministers arrived in Sri Lanka on a State visit from 2nd to 4th January 2009 at the invitation of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Maldivian President and Madam Laila Ali were received by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa on arrival yesterday(2nd January) at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

President Nasheed called on President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday and held bilateral talks, during which the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral and regional interest. President Nasheed expressed his appreciation to President Rajapaksa for visiting the Maldives in November 2008 to attend his official inauguration ceremony. Tracing the historical ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the two leaders agreed to intensify bilateral cooperation in particular in the fields of tourism, culture, fisheries, health, education, trade and investment.

President Nasheed thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for its consistent support for good governance and encouraging democracy in the Maldives. President Nasheed highlighted the need for assistance to the Maldives for the decentralization process of the local administration system, restructuring the public service and enhancing the capacity of the legal system and its human resources to implement the new Constitution with a view to promoting the rule of law. Development of archeological activities including conducting an archeological survey in the Maldives, investment in infrastructure development were mentioned among various other initiatives undertaken by the new administration that require further assistance. Both leaders agreed to work further on these matters. They also highlighted the importance of taking all possible efforts at bilateral and multilateral fora to counter the menace of terrorism. It was also agreed to meet at the experts’ level to discuss issues pertaining to Sri Lanka fishermen and other areas of mutual concern. President Nasheed invited Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to participate in infrastructure development projects such as housing construction and also investing in privatized state enterprises.

The two leaders discussed issues related to regional cooperation and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening SAARC as the principal mechanism for regional cooperation in South Asia. President Nasheed appreciated the leadership of Sri Lanka as Chair of SAARC and thanked President Rajapaksa for steering the 15th SAARC summit successfully towards the conclusion of several key agreements in regional cooperation, including working to ensure region-wide food security. President Rajapaksa thanked the Maldives for its contribution towards the SAARC process, since the inception and assured Sri Lanka’s firm support and cooperation as the Maldives prepares to assume the chairmanship of the regional organization by the end of this year. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, several Ministers and senior government officials were associated with President Rajapaksa on the Sri Lankan side.

A State Banquet was hosted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa last night at the Janadhipathi Mandiraya in honour of the visiting President and the First Lady of the Maldives.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Cultural Affairs Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena paid calls on the Maldivian President and further discussed issues of mutual interest. During these meetings, the two sides reiterated the importance of enhancing the existing close relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and expressed confidence that President Nasheed’s successful State visit to Sri Lanka would further consolidate the abiding ties of bilateral friendship and cooperation.

The Maldivian President addressed a Business Forum today, organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and also held a meeting with the members of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka, with a view to enhancing bilateral trade and economic activities, in particular by the private sectors of Sri Lanka in the Maldives.