Former President and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed is set to visit Sri Lanka upon the invitation of the Sri Lankan government, on Friday.

This will be Nasheed’s first trip to the neighboring country since being elected as speaker in April.

While Speaker Nasheed is set to depart to Sri Lanka on Friday morning, he is set to conclude his trip and return to Maldives on Sunday night.

He will be joined by members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Parliamentary Group, senior members of the party as well as some cabinet ministers.

Nasheed is set to meet Sri Lankan media upon landing at Bandaranaike International Airport which is to be followed by a press conference at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

RaajjeMV understands that Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will be hosting a banquet in honor of Speaker Nasheed and the delegation on Saturday night at the Temple Tree House.

During his trip, Nasheed will also be meeting with his counterpart, Karu Jayasuriya on Sunday.

Sri Lanka has always kept close relations with MDP and its leader Nasheed, with the Lankan government having provided immense support and shelter for the former President during his time of isolation during former President Abdulla Yameen’s rule.