As part of a high-level state visit that marks six decades of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu hosted an official state banquet in honour of His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, at the President’s Office in Malé. The event reflects the warm hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation and the strong bilateral ties shared between the two Indian Ocean neighbours.
The banquet brought together senior government officials and dignitaries from both countries. Among those in attendance were His Excellency Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan, Special Envoy of the President of the Maldives; Honourable Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism; Ms Thimuthu Dissanayake, Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives; as well as distinguished members of the Sri Lankan delegation and senior officials from the Government of Maldives.
This marks President Dissanayake’s first state visit to the Maldives since assuming office in September 2024. His visit follows an official invitation extended by President Dr Muizzu and includes a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing bilateral agreements, and celebrating shared values between the two nations.
The banquet served as a key diplomatic gesture, reinforcing the longstanding friendship that began in 1965, when the Maldives and Sri Lanka formally established diplomatic relations. As both countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of this enduring partnership, the visit underscores their mutual commitment to deeper political, economic, and cultural collaboration.
Throughout the visit, high-level talks have focused on enhancing cooperation in areas such as tourism, education, trade, agriculture, maritime security, and climate resilience. The state banquet followed a series of productive engagements, including the signing of key agreements and a joint press statement outlining shared priorities.
The event not only highlighted the Maldives’ tradition of warm state hospitality but also reaffirmed its role as an active diplomatic partner in the region, committed to fostering peaceful, cooperative relations with its neighbours. For international visitors, the visit and accompanying state ceremonies reflect the Maldives’ stable political environment and open-door approach to global partnerships further cementing its image as a welcoming and connected destination in the Indian Ocean.
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