The Maldives and Sri Lanka reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the coming years during the two-day official visit by Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohemmed Solih to Sri Lanka. Solih, who was in Sri Lanka to attend the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy, a four-nation football tournament, met Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and held wide-ranging discussions on issues of mutual interests to both countries. During his visit, he also met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapksa. 

The Maldivian president, along with his wife, inaugurated the opening ceremony of the Prime Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy 2021 football tournament this year on Tuesday.  Four countries-- Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Seychelles--are participating in the tournament.  

A statement issued by Sri Lankan President Office said President Solih and President Rajapaksa held an extensive discussion on a wide array of subjects of mutual interest and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthen Maldives-Sri Lanka cooperation in the coming years. 

The rwo countries, also neighbors in the Indian Ocean, share close trade and security relations. 
 
(SAM)