SAARC Secretary General's spouse pays courtesy call on First Lady

Krishanti Weerakoon, spouse of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Secretary-General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon has paid a courtesy call on Maldives First Lady, Fazna Ahmed.

Discussions held between the pair at the presidential residence Mulee’aage on Sunday morning revolved around mental health awareness, Covid-19, education progress and several other topics.

As such, the First Lady and Weerakoon shed light on the importance of spreading awareness on mental health issues and on seeking assistance, going on to stress on the urgency for functional support groups for people with mental illnesses.

Challenges facing the progress of the education sector and the government of Maldives’ efforts in ensuring the continuity of education during the pandemic were also discussed.

Further, First Lady Fazna briefed Weerakoon regarding the government’s high priority to ensure inclusivity when it comes to education and online classes for students during the pandemic.

Fazna noted that during the pandemic, the government has conducted several programmes out of necessity, adding that the situation of the lockdown was particularly hard on children, which in turn led to the initiation of interventions.

Other topics discussed include the initiation of vocational training, drug rehabilitation programmes, the lack doctors and psychiatrists involved in mental health treatment, service improvements for care homes for children, and the Covid-19 national inoculation drive.

Weerakoon applauded the First Lady’s work as an educator, efforts in volunteer work and her efforts to address social issues. She conveyed best wishes for the Maldives in their efforts to revive the tourism industry.

The SAARC Secretary General, who assumed office as the 14th SG of SAARC during March 2020, arrived in the Maldives on Saturday on an introductory visit, accompanied by spouse Krishanti and Director, Social Affairs Division at SAARC Secretariat, Ismail Mamdhooh.

SAARC SG Weerakoon is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on a number of government officials during his visit.

The SAARC SG will conclude his visit and depart Maldives on October 13.