Mix-up mars Maldivian leader's visit to Lanka

Confusion marred efforts to invite Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for tomorrow’s Independence Day celebrations, with the Foreign Ministry having to be apprised by a government high-up on the protocol to be followed.

The Foreign Ministry has initially prepared to invite the Maldivian leader as the ‘ Chief Guest’ for the occasion, but after being apprised that foreign invitees are invited to be the ‘ Guest of Honour’ on such occasions, a quick change was made to avert an embarrassing mistake.

The Maldivian President’s name was proposed for this year’s event by the President’s Office and the Foreign Ministry was asked to handle the matter in keeping with protocol.

However, officials had mishandled the procedures and it was a Government high- up's timely intervention that prevented a diplomatic faux pas, the Sunday Times learns.

President Solih will be arriving in Colombo today on a private visit and will attend the independence before starting his state visit on Tuesday.

When asked about the matter, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the Maldivian President would attend the official ceremony to mark the 71st National Day as the Guest of Honour tomorrow and his state visit would begin on Tuesday. Bilateral discussions would be held on that day.

However, she did not reply to the query on the mix-up which resulted in an invitation being prepared to make him the chief guest.

The Sunday Times learns that Foreign Ministry officials had to be reminded by a Government high up that if foreign dignitaries are to be invited as chief guests, they have to be given the chance to make a speech while other formalities also have to be put in place.

President Solih will arrive at the Independence Day celebrations at the Galle Face Green after the arrival of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and before President Maithripala Sirisena.