COLOMBO, Dec. 11 -- Maldives President Abdulla Yameen on Wednesday stated the late former South African President Nelson Mandela was the greatest statesman the world has ever seen, local media reported.

In a message he wrote in the condolence book opened Wednesday morning for Mandela, Yameen said Mandela's long walk to freedom, his achievement of the "Rainbow Nation," and his principles of courage, justice and equality are a shining light to millions of people around the world.

The president stressed that Mandela's patriotism and passion for the protection of human dignity would "stay with us for generations to come," local media outlet Haveeru said.

"He was indeed a legend in life and in death," his message read.

Vice President Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Minister at the President' s Office Abdulla Ameen and South Africa's honorary counsel in Maldives Grant Baxter also signed the condolence book.

The condolence book is open for two days for signing by the public.

The Maldives national flag was flown at half-mast for three days following the passing away of anti-apartheid icon Mandela. Yameen has also assigned Minister at the President's Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef to represent the Maldives at Mandela's funeral.

Ahead of the burial on Sunday, Mandela's body will lie in state for three days from Wednesday in the amphitheater of the Union Buildings in Pretoria where he was sworn in as president in 1994.

Each morning, his coffin will be borne through the streets of the capital in a funeral cortege.