President of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed arrived in Sri Lanka for a two-day official visit yesterday morning (August 16).

He was received by the Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Later he called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Rajapaksa accompanied his Maldivian counterpart at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, to watch the Sri Lanka - Australia cricket match.

During his visit, President Nasheed plans to hold discussions on ways to further strengthen the close bilateral relations between the two countries. Discussions will also be held on important issues noted by both the countries, and matters to be discussed at the SAARC Summit to be held in November this year, the President’s Office of the Republic of Maldives website says.