President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has highlighted it is essential to organise efforts to combat terrorism, adding it is one of the perennial menaces of the 21st century.
Speaking at the official luncheon hosted at Kurumba Maldives in honour of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is currently on an official visit to Maldives, President Solih expressed his deepest sympathies to the Sri Lankan people for the Easter Sunday's terrorist attacks last April, which claimed hundreds of innocent lives, whilst restating the firm resolve of Maldives to fully eradicate the threat posed by violent extremism. He reiterated his administration looks forward to working alongside the Government of Sri Lanka to meet many common challenges.
During the luncheon, President Solih noted the deep and enduring ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives and on the substantial contributions made by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to strengthening the relationship during his long-tenured and distinguished career as one of Sri Lanka's top statesmen. Continuing his remarks, the president highlighted Sri Lanka and the Maldives have had historical links stretching back to ancient times. He noted these links have flourished well into modern times, thereby facilitating diplomatic cooperation in both the bilateral and multilateral spheres.
Further, the president stressed the importance of the upcoming 4th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) to be hosted in the Maldives on September 3 and chaired by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. The conference, which will thematically focus on the traditional and non-traditional security threats of the Indian Ocean, will allow both countries to explore new avenues for further engagement in collaboration with other major actors in the Indian Ocean region.
Concluding his remarks, the president thanked the prime minister for all that he has done to enhance friendly ties between the two countries. Further, he relayed his best wishes to the government and people of Sri Lanka.