July 07, Male: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Male this morning for a one-day visit at the invitation of his Maldivian counterpart President Mohamed Nasheed.

According to media reports, President Rajapaksa's unplanned visit is in an effort to resolve the current political crisis of the Maldivian government.

The offer to mediate was reportedly made by Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris who is already in Male on a two-day official visit.

President Rajapaksa is to mediate between Maldivian President Nasheed and the opposition-controlled parliament to resolve the continuing stalemate.

President Nasheed's 13-member Cabinet resigned en masse last week after accusing the 77-member parliament of blocking all of the government's legislative initiatives.

The Maldivian police have arrested two opposition politicians for allegedly trying to topple the government. One of the arrested was the brother of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

President Nasheed's 20-month old government is the first democratically-elected government.

Hindustan Times citing sources said that President Rajapaksa was scheduled to meet President Nasheed this morning to reach a "political and practical compromise" to rescue the government from collapsing.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister is already in Male on a two-day official visit. According to the Sri Lankan Government Information Department, during his 'bilateral goodwill visit', the Minister is scheduled to meet President Nasheed, and other senior political and official personnel.

Minister Peiris was accompanied by parliamentarian and Coordinating Secretary to the President Sajin Vass Gunawardena, the government said.

The Hindustan Times said it learnt that the Indian government is meanwhile, closely monitoring the developments.

(Pictures by Sudath Silva)