President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has sent greetings to President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka, as the country marks its 71st Independence Day.
The president, who was the guest of honour at the celebrations held on Monday morning, via twitter wished "a very happy 71st Independence Day to Sri Lanka."
Noting that it was "an honour" for him to participate in the country's official Independence Day celebrations, President Solih wished President Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lankan government and people "success, growth and prosperity."
A very happy 71st Independence Day to Sri Lanka. I am honored to participate in the official Independence Day celebrations. I wish President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, the government and Sri Lankan people success, growth and prosperity.
— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) February 4, 2019
This was the first time a Maldivian leader served as a guest of honour at Sri Lanka’s official Independence Day celebrations.
The Independence Day of Sri Lanka commemorates its official independence from the British since the 4th of February 1948.
Maldives and Sri Lanka have enjoyed friendly relations since the former’s independence in July 1965.
