The High Commission of the Republic of Maldives in Sri Lanka hosted a grand reception on July 23, to commemorate the 61st Independence Day of the Republic of Maldives at Cinnamon Life, City of Dreams, Colombo.
The event was held under the patronage of Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, H.E. Masood Imad, who welcomed distinguished guests upon their arrival.
Sri Lanka's Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, attended the celebration as the Chief Guest. The event highlighted the longstanding friendship and close diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Among the distinguished attendees were Deputy Speaker of Parliament Dr. Rizvie Salih, Western Province Governor Hanif Yoosuf, former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), ambassadors, high commissioners, deputy ministers, members of Parliament, senior government officials, diplomats, officials of the Maldives High Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the armed forces, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Chiefs of Staff of the Army and Navy, and senior tri-forces officers.
The reception brought together representatives from both nations to celebrate the Maldives' independence while reaffirming the strong bilateral relationship and cooperation shared between Sri Lanka and the Maldives across diplomatic, security, and people-to-people sectors.
The Republic of Maldives celebrates its Independence Day annually on July 26, marking the country's independence from British protection in 1965. The Colombo reception formed part of the official commemorations leading up to this year's 61st Independence Day celebrations.
