FM Shahid concludes trip to Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has on Wednesday concluded his two-day official trip to Sri Lanka.

During the trip, the minister met with Sri Lankan officials, including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe; he was accompanied by Ambassador Omar Abdul Razzaq.

Minister Shahid also met with the country’s Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Internal and Home Affairs Minister Wajira Abeywardhana, as well as officials of the Provisional Council and the Local government.

The foreign minister said that the minister “conveyed condolences on behalf of the Government and People of Maldives to the Government and People of Sri Lanka, following the Easter Sunday terror attacks and expressed sympathies to the families of the bereaved,” during the meetings.

He also exchanged “views on countering terrorism in the region,” reiterating Maldives’ strong commitment in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

While Sri Lanka had, hours before his trip, announced changes to its resident visa procedures, including to Maldivians, Shahid emphasized “the need to resolve and ease visa procedures for the mutual benefit of the two countries.” On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan government announced that all nationalities including Maldivians will require to obtain resident visa prior to arrival, effective 15 May.

The foreign minister also met with the country’s former president and opposition leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday, as well as former secretary to defence, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and former Speaker Chamal Rajapakse.

Before departing on Wednesday night, the minister joined Ambassador Razzaq and the staff at the Maldives embassy for a special iftar, and thanked them for their “outstanding job” following the terror attack in Sri Lanka.