Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef on Wednesday stated that Maldives-Sri Lanka ties have existed long before our independence.

The Vice President made the remarks while speaking at the reception to mark the 76th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the reception hosted by the High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Maldives, A.M.J. Sadiq, to mark the 76th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka, the Vice President stated that Sri Lanka and the Maldives have maintained close fraternal ties as well as people-to-people interactions long before the Maldives’ independence.

The Vice President underscored that Sri Lanka remains a second home to tens of thousands of Maldivians, whilst Maldives is host to a significant number of Sri Lankans. The Vice President emphasized the apparent close connections of culture, traditions, and linguistics as well as historical links between the two neighboring nations.

Concluding his remarks, the Vice President emphasized that Maldives would always remain a reliable friend, and a partner of Sri Lanka, and its people.