Maldives ready with roadmap towards a full-fledged democracy

The incumbent Maldivian President Dr. Waheed Hassan's consultant and a retired Malaysian career diplomat of Sri Lankan origin, Dr. Ananda Kumarasiri, who accompanied the island-nation's Vice President designate Mohamed Waheed Deen to Colombo on his short visit to hand over a message from his President to President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Sunday Observer in an interview that the visit was to reiterate the deep understanding and close relationship between the two countries. Former President Mohamed Nasheed stepped down voluntarily and there is no truth in reports that he was ousted in a military coup, Dr. Kumarasiri said. He expressed confidence that a full-fledged democracy will be restored in the country under the rule of President Waheed and the roadmap towards that end has already been laid.

Excerpts of the interview:

Question: As consultant to President Dr. Waheed Hassen you have accompanied Vice President designate Mohamed Waheed Deen who delivered a message to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Can you tell us the salient aspects of the message?

Answer: The idea was to express President Dr. Waheed's appreciation for the very deep understanding and reiteration of the close relationship between the two countries for many centuries. We face the same problems as Sri Lanka due to external interferences. Our President has solicited the appreciation of President Rajapaksa to the consultative process which is already in process for consensus building among the different political parties in the Maldives.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/02/26/fea03.asp