The official welcoming ceremony for Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived in Sri Lanka on a state visit at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is undertaking this state visit with the aim of further strengthening economic, cultural and social ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, while enhancing the multifaceted partnership between the two nations.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Mrs. Sajida Mohamed were escorted to the Presidential Secretariat by the Police Cavalry Corps and were warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The official ceremony commenced with the playing of the national anthems of both countries.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was accorded full state honours, including a ceremonial gun salute, and subsequently inspected the Sri Lankan military parade.
Following the exchange of official honours between President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, representatives of both the Maldivian and Sri Lankan governments were introduced.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also left a special note and signed the commemorative book for heads of state.
Representing the Government of the Maldives at the event were Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on External Relations Mohamed Naseer, Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of Maldives to Sri Lanka Masood Imad, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Head of Protocol Mohamed Shahudy, Social Secretary to the First Lady Khadeeja Nashwa, Deputy Undersecretary to the President Mohamed Hassaan, and Private Secretary to the First Lady Lubaba Ali.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology Krishantha Abeysena, Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, South East Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, Middle East and Law) M. R. K. Lenagala, and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives Mohamed Rizvi Hassen.
