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Gayoom visits Sri Lanka

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of Maldives was at the Katunayake International Airport on transit on his way to Doha, Qatar to attend the extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic countries. At the VIP lounge he was received by the Minister Assisting Foreign Affairs Lal Dharmapriya Gamage. President Gayoom was accompanied by a high level delegation comprising of 14 members including the Foreign Minister Fathulla Jameel.

The Minister Assisting Foreign Affairs Lal Dharmapriya Gamage had a friendly chat with the visiting President and the Foreign Minister, and briefed them at length on the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka. He explained the Government's plans to extend the benefits of peace to the people of the North as much as those in the South. Both parties exchanged views on the new economic programme of the present Government. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom expressed his appreciation of the ongoing peace process and the economic reconstruction program of the Government, and stated that his maximum support will be given towards these efforts.

The war situation developing in the Middle East received the attention of delegates of both countries and views were exchanged on its impact on SAARC countries. The Maldivian President said that this adverse situation will be taken up at the extraordinary session of Islamic countries which he will be attending.

Minister Gamage took up the matter of the agreement on exchange of prisoners between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and explained the importance expediting the enforcement of this agreement, which is to be signed by the two countries. The Sri Lanka High Commission in Maldives has taken steps to present to the Government of Maldives a draft of an understanding reached during the recent visit of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Maldives, accompanied by Minister Lal Dharmapriya Gamage. At this stage the Maldivian President explained that majority of Sri Lankan serving prison terms were convicted of drug trafficking which is an offence punishable with life imprisonment under the laws of that country and the prisons of that country are in a high standard when compared to those in other countries of the region.

Minister Gamage stated that the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando requested him to convey their compliments to the Maldivian President and the Foreign Minister.

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