President to attend the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Maldives

President Maithripala Sirisena will undertake a state visit to participate at the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Maldives on 26th July, 2015 in Male, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake and senior officials of the government. President Sirisena will be welcomed on his arrival in Maldives on Sunday afternoon with a ceremonial Guard of Honour. He will participate at the official ceremony in Male to mark the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Maldives and the official reception being held later that evening. The President will pay a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of Maldives. President Sirisena and the delegation will return to Sri Lanka in the morning of 27th July, 2015. Sri Lanka and Maldives established formal diplomatic relations on 26th July 1965. Thus, this year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.