President Dr Mohamed Waheed this morning departed on an official visit to Sri Lanka, on the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka. First Lady Madam Ilham Hussain is accompanying the President during this visit

Meeting the local media at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport prior to his departure, the President said that this visit will further strengthen the existing relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka

President Waheed will also meet with the diplomatic community and major business leaders in Sri Lanka.

During the visit, the President is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdul Samad Abdulla, Minister of Economic Development Ahmed Mohamed, Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Gafoor and Minister of Environment and Energy Dr Mariyam Shakeela.