Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will travel to Maldives on an official visit following an invitation by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives.

During the visit, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister will also chair the 4th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference, which will be held in Maldives on the 3rd and 4th of September.

The Prime Minister's visit comes against the backdrop of a heated power struggle within the United National Party over its presidential candidate.

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa has launched a vigorous campaign to project himself as the potential presidential candidate of the party.

Wickremesinghe has already instructed the party authorities to take disciplinary action against those acting in violation of party discipline.