Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed is set to visit neighboring Sri Lanka upon the invitation of the country’s government, in mid-June.

This is Nasheed’s first trip to the neighboring country since assuming the post of Speaker in late May.

RaajjeMV understands that he is set to visit Sri Lanka on 15 June and is to join a special function being held to mark the party’s solidarity with Sri Lanka.

“With this visit, we want to tell the rest of the world to come to Sri Lanka and to enjoy the beautiful country and the famous Sri Lanka hospitality.”

A statement by the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) reads that Nasheed is set to join a special ceremony in Sri Lanka on 15 June. The ceremony will be joined by the ruling party’s Parliamentary Group members, senior officials as well as some Cabinet Ministers.

MDP’s statement shed light on the support the Sri Lankan government has provided to the Maldives, and the party throughout the years. As such, MDP’s leader and former President Nasheed was provided sanctuary in the country during former President Abdulla Yameen’s tenure.

“Sri Lanka hosted and protected the founders of the MDP, including the former President Mohamed Nasheed, when the party, and its leaders were under threat. In doing so, successive Sri Lankan governments have protected democracy and political pluralism for the Maldivian people at various stages of the Maldives’ recent history,” reads the statement.

Highlighting that the country has been a long-standing partner in sectors such as education, health, trade and general development, the statement read that it has especially been an invaluable friend to the party in its “greatest time of need”.

In conclusion, the statement assured that the party will always stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka, expressing confidence that authorities have taken all the necessary measures to restore safety and security in the country in the wake of the Easter terror attacks in Sri Lanka.