President Solih arrives in Sri Lanka

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka, late Sunday morning.

The president, First Lady Fazna Ahmed and the Maldivian delegation were received at the airport by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

President Solih was given a warm welcome upon arrival, with a guard of honour presented by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The president was welcomed with a guard of honour by Sri Lanka Air Force. Photo: President's Office

The president will be the guest of honour at the neighboring country’s 71st Independence Day celebrations on Monday, having accepted the invitation extended by President Maithripala Sirisena.

According to the President’s Office, President Solih is to hold one-to-one deliberations with President Sirisena, ‘on charting the course for future Maldives-Sri Lanka bilateral ties.’

President Solih will also meet with other government officials, including the prime minister.

An official welcoming ceremony is to be held at the presidential secretariat, and the Sri Lankan president will host the first couple for a state luncheon.

In addition, President Solih is to meet with Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka later today.

Maldives and Sri Lanka have enjoyed friendly relations since the former’s independence in July 1965.