President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has sent greetings to the people of Sri Lanka, as the country celebrates its 72nd Independence Day.
The president sent greetings to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the people of Sri Lanka on the “happy occasion,” via Twitter.
Vice President Faisal Naseem also extended greetings, while Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid wished the Sri Lankan government and people “continued peace, progress and prosperity.”
While Sri Lanka was among the first countries to establish democratic relations with Maldives, both countries have enjoyed strong ties since.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was the guest of honour at the country’s 71st Independence Day celebrations last year, and a high-level delegation from Maldives traveled to the neighboring country to show solidarity shortly after the Easter bombing attack in 2019.
Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo has often been described as Maldives’ “second biggest city”.