Feb 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa is now in Male, the capital of the Maldives, for a three-day official tour during which he will hold bilateral talks with Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The talks will focus on wide-ranging subjects including investment, tourism, fisheries, education and cultural affairs.

The Sri Lankan President and First Lady arrived at Male International Airport this morning and were greeted by the Maldivian President and First Lady. The Sri Lankan President was honoured at the airport with a 21-gun salute by the Maldivian Army.

Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Rohitha Bogollagama and G.L. Peiris, Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga are accompanying President Rajapaksa to the Maldives.

The two Presidents held an official meeting today at the Maldivian President’s Office. Sri Lankan Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga was also in attendance.
A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of education was subsequently signed by Sri Lankan Education Minister Susil Premajayantha and Maldivian Higher Education Minister Abdulla Yameen.	Another Memorandum of Understanding on cultural cooperation was signed by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Maldivian Information and Arts Minister Mohamed Nasheed.
Both agreements were signed at the Maldivian President's Office.

(Pix: Sudath Silva)