President lauds smooth transition in Maldives

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has commended outgoing Maldivian President Gayoom for the manner in which he performed following the Presidential Election in the Maldives.

He said this while speaking with outgoing President Gayoom over the telephone on Thursday evening, following the Presidential Election.

President Rajapaksa said that he was happy that the presidential election in the Maldives went in a smooth and peaceful manner.

He also said that outgoimg President Gayoom had displayed exemplary committment to democracy during this period of transition to a new Government.

Further, he noted the successful undertaking of President Gayoom to bring a modern liberal democracy to the Maldives.

Highlighting that the relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka have strengthened during President Gayoom’s presidency, President Rajapaksa thanked President Gayoom for his efforts to strengthen this relationship between the two countries.

President Gayoom said that he felt happy that President Rajapaksa had called and thanked him for noting his efforts to bring a modern liberal democracy to the Maldives and to strengthen the relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.