Local News from Sri Lanka: It is scheduled that Sri Lanka and the Maldives will sign several agreements during next week’s official visit to Malé by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister. On 2 September 2019, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will undertake an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to chair the 2019 Indian Ocean Conference.
During the two-day official visit, the two leaders will also review the existing bilateral ties between the two countries and explore new areas of cooperation, including global issues of mutual importance, in addition to discussing regional and global challenges faced by the Indian Ocean region countries.
One of the four agreements to be signed between the two Indian Ocean island nations is an agreement between the Government of the Maldives and the Government of Sri Lanka on facilitating visa provisions. The Prime Minister’s proposal to enter into an agreement with the Maldives on relaxing visa circumstances was approved by the Cabinet.
Both governments will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on higher education and water supply issues as well as an MoU on Vocational Training and Youth Development. The two nations will also sign an MoU to ensure that the rights of kids, females, elders, and disabled people are promoted. It is expected that these agreements will further improve both countries ‘ friendship and mutual collaboration.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will also chair the 2019 Indian Ocean Conference, scheduled for 3-4 September at the Paradise Island Resort The Indian Ocean Conference is organized by the India Foundation in collaboration with the Maldives Government and the S. International Studies School of Rajaratnam, Singapore.
