His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended a State Banquet hosted in their honour by His Excellency Anura Kumara Disanayaka, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, as part of their ongoing State Visit to Sri Lanka. The banquet formed an important part of the official programme of the visit and reflected the enduring warmth, mutual respect, and close diplomatic ties that continue to define relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Addressing the gathering, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu conveyed his sincere appreciation to President Disanayaka, the Government of Sri Lanka, and the people of Sri Lanka for the gracious welcome and generous hospitality extended to him, the First Lady, and the Maldivian delegation. His remarks highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two neighbouring countries and underscored the significance of maintaining strong bilateral engagement rooted in shared history, regional understanding, and enduring goodwill.
President Dr Muizzu described Sri Lanka as a close and trusted neighbour of the Maldives, noting that the relationship between the two countries has been strengthened over many years through cooperation in key sectors such as education and healthcare, as well as through vibrant people-to-people connections. He reflected on the deep familiarity and goodwill that exist between Maldivians and Sri Lankans, observing that these close human ties continue to provide a strong foundation for official relations and broader cooperation.
The President further characterised the visit as a celebration of the close bond shared by the Maldives and Sri Lanka. He acknowledged the valuable support Sri Lanka has extended to the Maldives over the years in its development journey and emphasised the importance of further expanding cooperation in areas of growing relevance to both countries. Among the areas highlighted were digital transformation, sustainable tourism, renewable energy, education, and ocean conservation, all of which continue to shape the development priorities of island nations in the region.
In his remarks, President Dr Muizzu also drew attention to the common challenges faced by both countries, particularly the impacts of climate change. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration, shared advocacy, and innovative approaches in addressing such issues, noting that regional solidarity and practical partnerships remain essential in responding to global concerns that affect vulnerable nations. His message reflected the Maldives’ broader commitment to constructive international engagement and meaningful cooperation with trusted partners.
President Dr Muizzu also underscored the gratitude that Maldivians hold for the people of Sri Lanka and reaffirmed that the real strength of diplomatic relations lies in the closeness shared by their peoples. He expressed confidence that the friendship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead, supported by mutual respect, shared interests, and a collective commitment to peace, progress, and regional partnership.
The State Banquet was attended by Cabinet Ministers and other senior officials from both the Maldivian and Sri Lankan governments, reflecting the importance attached by both sides to the visit and to the future direction of bilateral relations. The presence of senior representatives from the two governments further underscored a shared desire to deepen cooperation across a wide range of areas and to strengthen the longstanding partnership for the mutual benefit of both countries.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed are currently undertaking their first State Visit to Sri Lanka from 3 to 6 May 2026. The visit continues to highlight the close friendship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka and serves as an opportunity to further reinforce ties between two nations connected by geography, history, and enduring people-to-people bonds.
advertisment
advertisment
