The President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed requested Sri Lanka’s cooperation in facilitating a study tour for the representatives of the Maldivian local government authorities to learn Sri Lanka’s local government systems.

“Maldives could learn many lessons from Sri Lanka’s democratic system”, he said during a discussion with the Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera yesterday (10) in Maldives.

The Maldivian President commended the rapid progress Sri Lanka is making with the end to the most formidable terrorist group in the world.

Technical assistance for building roads in Maldives, higher education exchange programs, Maldivian companies to be listed in the Sri Lanka Stock Exchange, Sri Lankan students to study coastal science, coral reef studies in Maldives and aquaculture were among other areas of discussion.

Also the setting up of a mechanism to curb piracy was highlighted as a priority issue for the region.