Lanka to mediate in Male

6 July 2010 04:46 pm

Sri Lanka has offered to mediate in the Maldives where President Mohamed Nasheed and the opposition-controlled parliament are at loggerheads over how to run the atoll nation of 330,000 Sunni Muslims.

The offer to mediate was made by External Affairs Minister, Professor G.L. Peiris when he called on Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed today, the Maldives media reported.

According to the Maldivian President's Office, discussions were mainly focused on strengthening economic relations between the two countries, especially in the area of tourism.

The President also briefed the Minister on the ongoing political issues in the Maldives, the office said.

The Maldivian President's Office quoted Professor G.L. Peiris as saying that the Sri Lankan government was ready to extend “whatever assistance” to resolve the issues amicably.

Meanwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksa will fly to the Maldives tomorrow on a state visit. President Mohamed Nasheed will receive the Sri Lankan President at the Presidential Jetty in Male, Wednesday morning.

The Maldivian President's Office said President Rajapaksa will meet with President Nasheed, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Parliament Speaker Abdulla Shahid, and Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, the Maldivian media reported. (Daily Mirror online)