President Mahinda Rajapaksa has left for Male this morning (July 07) on a day's official visit to the Maldives.

President Rajapaksa will have discussions with his Maldivian counterpart President Mohamed Nasheed and other senior leaders during the visit.

President Nasheed's 20-month old government is the first democratically-elected government.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris is already in Male on a two-day official visit. The Information Department said in a statement that during his 'bilateral goodwill visit', the Minister is scheduled to meet President Nasheed, and other senior political and official personnel.

Minister Peiris was accompanied by parliamentarian and Coordinating Secretary to the President Sajin Vass Gunawardena M. P.