H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka made a goodwill visit to the Maldives on Wednesday 7th July 2010. During his visit, the President of Sri Lanka met with H.E. Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives and Hon. Ahamed Thasmeen Ali, Leader of the Opposition, the Chief Justice, the Hon. Speaker of the Majilis and Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and a delegation of the MDP and a delegation of the opposition consisting of The DRP, Qaumi Party, Jumhoori Party and Peoples Alliance. He also met with some leading members of the business community in Maldives.

President Rajapaksa engaged in this initiative as a friend and a neighbour of the Maldives who offered his assistance, in accordance with the wishes of the Government and the Opposition of the Maldives in initiating a dialogue to resolve the current crisis.

The government and the opposition agreed, in the presence of President Rajapaksa, to constitute a committee of six members of the Majilis, comprising three members from the government and three from the opposition to commence and to carry forward a dialogue addressing such pressing issues as the appointment of the Cabinet of ministers and the smooth functioning of the legislative process. The Sri Lankan delegation comprised of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, Hon. G.L. Peiris, External Affairs Minister, Hon. Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, M.P. and Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President.

Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo

08TH July 2010