President Rajapaksa congratulates Maldivian President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa felicitated the newly elected President of the Republic of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed.

In a message of congratulations, President Rajapaksa hailed the new President's election as a manifestation of the confidence and trust placed in him by his party and the people of the Maldives.

The full text of the message:

"The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in extending our felicitations to you on your election as the President of the Republic of Maldives.

Your victory is a manifestation of the confidence and trust placed in you by your party and the people of the Republic of Maldives.

I am confident that Your Excellency's leadership will steer Maldives and its people to higher levels of development and prosperity.

Sri Lanka and the Maldives enjoy close and cordial relations based on strong historical ties. In recent years our relations have expanded into new vistas of cooperation. I look forward to working closely with Your Excellency, particularly in realising the objectives of SAARC for the greater benefit of our peoples.

Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and my best wishes for your good health and personal well-being".