Maldives proposes joint tourism promotion, energy trade with Sri Lanka

The President’s Office has said that discussions will take place today between Ministers of Maldives and Sri Lanka today, on joint tourism promotion and energy trade plans.

Press Secretary of the President’s Office Masood Imad, who is currently in Sri Lanka, told Sun Online last night that the discussions between the two countries yesterday were focused on facilitating reductions in fuel prices in the Maldives, by importing fuel via Sri Lanka.

These discussions will be continued by the Energy Ministers of the two countries today.

Masood Imad said that discussions were also held between the Tourism Ministers of the two countries yesterday, on conducting joint tourism promotions between the two countries.

In addition, Sri Lanka agreed to provide training opportunities in Sri Lanka for Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

“This was finalised today. The agreement had been made during a visit by the Defence Minister earlier,” Masood Imad told Sun Online last night.

President Dr Waheed is accompanied by Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb and Environment Minister Mariyam Shakeela, on this three-day official visit to Sri Lanka on the invitation of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The official discussions were held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat in Sri Lanka.

Masood Imad said that no official discussions took place on the current political situation of the Maldives; however, the meeting between President Dr Waheed and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was held in private.

Speaking to reporters at the airport prior to his departure to Sri Lanka, President Dr Waheed told reporters that Sri Lanka had expressed interest to act as a mediator to ease the political tension currently faced by the Maldives.

The Sri Lankan President hosted a state banquet in the honour of President Waheed yesterday evening.