Dec 31, Colombo: Newly elected Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) is expected to arrive in the country on 2nd of January 2009 for a two day official visit, Sri Lanka Foreign Affairs Ministry announced today.

This is the first state visit by the Maldivian President to Sri Lanka since assuming the office of the President of the Republic of Maldives in November 2008.

The main goal of the President Nasheed's visit is to strengthen the bilateral corporations in trade, tourism, and cultural sectors.

During his visit Nasheed will meet his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa and Premier Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.