Maldives appoints first female diplomat

MALE, Oct 29 (HNS) – Former Women's Affairs Minister Rashida Yousuf on Monday became Maldives' first female diplomat with her appointment as Maldives' High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom gave Rashida her letter of appointment at a ceremony held at the President's Office. At the ceremony, Gayoom spoke to Rashida about her responsibilities as Maldives' ambassador to Sri Lanka, noting that Maldives enjoyed "very close and warm ties of friendship" with Sri Lanka. He said that he desired to further consolidate and strengthen those ties in the times to come. Rashida was appointed as Maldives' first high-ranking female diplomat at ministerial rank.