Jan 02, Colombo: Newly elected Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) and his wife arrived in Sri Lanka today on a three-day official visit. Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa welcomed the Maldivian leader with a full military guard of honour at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

This is the first state visit by the Maldivian leader to Sri Lanka since assuming the office of the President of the Republic of Maldives in November 2008. During his visit Nasheed will meet his Sri Lankan counterpart President Rajapaksa, Premier Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka and the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said. President Nasheed is expected to hold talks on strengthening bilateral corporations in trade, tourism, and cultural sectors during his stay in Sri Lanka.

Pictures by Sudath Silva