PM visiting Sri Lanka, Maldives

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from today to Tuesday, and to the Maldives from Tuesday to Wednesday.

The Foreign Ministry, in a statement here yesterday, said the visits were at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Najib will be accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, ministers, deputy ministers and senior government officials.

The visits underlined the significance Malaysia attached to its relationships with Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the statement said.

“These visits are expected to set Malaysia’s future direction with both countries, covering all areas of cooperation. This will be Najib’s first official visit to Sri Lanka and the Maldives,” it added.

In Colombo, Najib will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony followed by a one-to-one meeting and bilateral meeting with the delegations of both countries.

The leaders from both countries will witness the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements between Malaysia and Sri Lanka in training, science and technology, communication and bio-economy.

An official welcoming luncheon will be hosted by Sirisena in honour of Najib and Rosmah.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will host a working lunch in honour of Najib the following day.

In Malé, the Maldives, Najib will be accorded a state welcoming ceremony followed by a one-toone meeting and bilateral meeting with delegates from both countries.

Leaders from both countries will witness the signing of MoUs between Malaysia and the Maldives in health, tourism, firefighting and rescue and higher education. A joint press conference will be held prior to the state welcoming luncheon, to be hosted by Gayoom in honour of Najib and his wife.