President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of the Republic of Maldives and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka delivered a joint press statement on Monday at the President’s Office in Malé, marking a productive outcome of high-level talks held during President Dissanayake’s state visit to the Maldives. The engagement not only reaffirmed the enduring bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring Indian Ocean nations but also outlined a shared vision for expanding cooperation across critical areas of mutual interest.
During the press briefing, President Dr Muizzu described Sri Lanka and the Maldives as “kindred nations” with a rich history of cultural ties and diplomatic relations dating back six decades. As the Maldives commemorates 60 years of independence this year, it also celebrates 60 years of formal diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka, established on 26 July 1965. President Muizzu recognized Sri Lanka as one of the Maldives’ earliest diplomatic partners and emphasized the value of this longstanding alliance in fostering peace, development, and regional stability.
President Dr Muizzu noted that discussions between the two countries have yielded a clear roadmap for cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade, defence, education, vocational training, youth and sports, environment, agriculture, and fisheries. He highlighted the signing of a treaty and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as outcomes of the official talks, representing a renewed commitment to deeper engagement.
In particular, President Muizzu acknowledged Sri Lanka’s historical contribution to the Maldivian education sector and welcomed the agreement to expand collaboration in capacity building and institutional knowledge-sharing between the two countries’ academic bodies. He also expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s progress toward economic recovery and inclusivity under President Dissanayake’s leadership.
In his statement, President Dissanayake echoed these sentiments and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome received in Malé. Speaking in Sinhala, he reflected on the cultural and linguistic connections between the two nations, noting that the Sinhala and Dhivehi languages share similar roots. He emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations in key areas such as education, trade, tourism, agriculture, youth empowerment, and investment.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s readiness to attract foreign investment, President Dissanayake encouraged Maldivian businesses to explore opportunities in sectors such as fisheries, infrastructure development, and information and communication technology (ICT). He noted that Sri Lanka offers a favourable environment for investment and extended an open invitation for Maldivian enterprises to participate in its economic landscape.
Recognizing the Maldives’ global success in the tourism sector, President Dissanayake invited the Maldives to share its expertise and contribute to Sri Lanka’s tourism development. He welcomed collaboration in marketing, hospitality training, and destination management, stating that both countries could benefit from closer cooperation in promoting sustainable tourism across the region.
In line with shared maritime priorities, both Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and strengthening maritime safety through technical cooperation and joint capacity building. They also agreed to enhance consular services and facilitate people-to-people ties to promote smoother travel and deepen cultural understanding.
The press statement concluded with President Dissanayake formally inviting President Dr Muizzu to make an official visit to Sri Lanka. The state visit coinciding with the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations has reinforced the strategic partnership between the Maldives and Sri Lanka and set the stage for continued collaboration across diverse sectors.
For foreign tourists and international partners, the renewed engagement between the Maldives and Sri Lanka highlights a stable, cooperative regional environment an encouraging backdrop for travel, investment, and cultural exploration in the Indian Ocean.
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