Lankans enjoying peace dividend - Maldivian President

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday commended the massive development projects that were implemented in the North and East with the coordination of Security Forces after the elimination of terrorism, bringing peace dividends.

He did so while speaking to the Daily News after participating in the commissioning parade of Officer Cadets at the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa as the chief guest.

The Maldivian President stated that he witnessed the massive development projects in progress in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

He added that road networks, bridges, houses for civilians, electricity provision, cultivation etc are being developed rapidly.

He also stated that the role of the Security Forces in Sri Lanka has drastically changed in the post conflict era, to one of development institution.

President Nasheed further stated that a large quantity of food was exported to the Maldives from Sri Lanka. He added that he was aware of the fact that most of those food items were crops cultivated in the North and East of Sri Lanka with the coordination of the Army.

Defence Secretary Ghotabhaya Rajapaksa and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya also participated in the occasion.