Sri Lanka to assist in setting up drug rehabilitation centre in Maldives

Sri Lanka will assist Maldives to set-up a drug rehabilitation centre in its city of Addu Atoll, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Maldivian Parliament today (Sept 3).

In his special address this morning, the Prime Minister pointed out that Maldives has been identified as the third largest export destination for Sri Lanka with trade values standing at millions of dollars.

"The value of total trade between the two countries, which stood at USD 27.1 million in 2017, has increased to the level of USD 304.3 million in 2018," Mr. Wickremesinghe stressed.

He pointed out that Sri Lanka has maintained ties with the south asian island in several aspects such as culture, food, trade while maintaining similarities in democracy.

During his address, the Prime Minister pointed out the 19th amendment to the constitution as one of the major commitments made by Sri Lanka towards ensuring democracy.

He emphasised that under the latest amendment, the entire of cabinet ministers is responsible to Parliament, while also making the President liable to the law.

Mr. Wickremesinghe also referred to the establishment of independent commissions, the constitutional council, and sectoral oversight committees as independent bodies which had been set-up under the current government to strengthen democracy.

Further, he said that Sri Lanka was "ready to work with all stakeholders" to establish a mechanism in order to counter ISIS terrorism on a regional scale.