Maldivian FM Shahid calls on former Sri Lankan PM

Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has paid a courtesy call on former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Shahid, who travelled to Sri Lanka on an official visit last week, called on Rajapaksa on Friday.

During the meeting, Shahid and Rajapaksa discussed areas of mutual interest, and expressed appreciation for the long-standing relations between the two neighboring countries.

“The #Maldives is grateful for the strong bond of friendship between our two nations,” said Shahid, in a tweet after the meeting.

Shahid was accompanied on the call by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and Maldivian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ali Faiz.

Shahid is in Sri Lanka at the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart M.U.M. Ali Sabry to attend the country’s Independence Day celebrations.

Sri Lanka, which marks its Independence Day on February 4, is celebrating its 75th Independence Day this year.

Shahid is also scheduled to pay courtesy calls on Sri Lankan Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and Foreign Minister Sabry.