Lanka- Male ink several bilateral deals

MALE: President Mahinda Rajapaksa received a warm welcome on his arrival yesterday in the Maldives on a two day official visit.

On hand to receive the President and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa at the Hulhule International Airport was Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The Lankan Head of State was then accorded a 21 gun salute and a special guard of honour. Thereafter he was introduced to the members of the Cabinet.

Following an impressive and colourful ceremony, the President and the First Lady left for Male in a special sea craft. The two Heads of State then commenced official bi-lateral talks at the President's office in Male.

The talks centered on improving existing friendship between SAARC neighbours, trade ties between the two countries and in the areas of tourism, education, fisheries and investment prospects.

Two bi-lateral agreements were inked later in the afternoon between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The agreement pertaining to education, was signed by Education Minister Susil Premjayantha and the Maldivian Minister of Education, Employment and Social Security Abdulla Yameen.

Human resources development, exchange of teachers, the implementation of joint scholarships programmes and vocational and technical programmes between the two countries, will be included in the agreement.

The second bi-lateral agreement for cultural uplift was signed between Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and the Maldivian Minister for Culture and Information Mohamad Nasheed. It will include cultural development, protection of the national heritages, exchange of artistes and their training.

President Rajapaksa and his Sri Lankan entourage were to participate at a special dinner hosted by the Maldivian President at Darbaruge yesterday.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagamma, International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Education Minister Susil Premjayantha, Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda, Fisheries Minister Felix Perera and President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga accompanied the President.

Maldives is an archipelago containing 1,200 atolls with its economy primarily dependent on tourism and fisheries. There are 80 ethnic groups inhabiting the islands.

Some 7,500 Sri Lankans reside in the Maldives engaged in various occupations. The population in Male is 110,000 confined to two square kilo meters of territory which is among the largest populated cities in the world.