The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe has concluded his official visit to the Maldives and departed on Wednesday.

During his visit, the Prime Minister and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih presided over official talks with senior officials from the Maldivian and Sri Lankan Government.

The government of Maldives and Sri Lanka also exchanged agreements to formalize the two countries’ increased cooperation in the fields of higher education, social cooperation and youth development. The renewed agreement on Visa arrangement will make it easier for business entrepreneurs from both countries to travel to the other for business purposes, and facilitate multiple entry visas for the parents and legal guardians of Maldivian studying in Sri Lanka.

Following the agreement exchange ceremony, the President and Prime Minister delivered a joint press statement recapitulating the main areas of collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Maldives and highlighting the friendly ties that have always endured between our two peoples.

The Prime Minister also gave his address at the Maldives parliament and chaired the 4th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) at Paradise Island Resort on Tuesday, and invited senior dignitaries from across the Indian Ocean Region to deliberate on the main security threats and challenges confronting the region.