The Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer, arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday evening.
He was welcomed at the Bandaranaike International Airport by State Foreign Affairs Minister Tharaka Balasuriya.
Minister Zameer will also hold bilateral talks with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC and explore avenues to further strengthen the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries.
Minister Zameer is also scheduled to meet with other senior officials from the government to explore opportunities to enhance cooperation in various sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Minister is accompanied by Sheryna Abdul Samad, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Shiruzimath Sameer,
Last month, Zameer paid an official visit to New Delhi and held discussions on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
"This visit was long overdue. Usually, when a new cabinet is appointed in the Maldives, they make their first visits to Sri Lanka. But it couldn't be done this time as his counterpart in Sri Lanka was not available," said a source close to Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister.
The Maldivian Foreign Minister's Sr Lanka visit will be watched closely by the observers as Muizzu has pledged to end the Indian Ocean archipelago's 'India First' policy.
During his visit, Zameer is scheduled to pay courtesy calls on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena besides holding official bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry.
The ministers representing the two island nations in South Asia are expected to explore avenues to further strengthen the longstanding bilateral ties and also discuss providing convenient facilities to the Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka.
