Historic visit to Colombo
Maldives (Commonwealth Union)_ Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Sri Lanka on an official state visit at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This is President Muizzu’s first visit to Sri Lanka since taking office in 2023 and an important occasion as the two island states celebrate more than six decades of diplomatic relations. President Muizzu was accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation. Upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, they received a warm welcome from Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, senior government officials, and members of the Maldivian High Commission.
The warm welcome was marked by a ceremonial guard of honour by the Sri Lanka Air Force and a cultural welcome with children carrying the flags of both nations. The visit followed President Dissanayake’s own state visit to the Maldives in July 2025, during which both countries commemorated 60 years of diplomatic relations. President Muizzu’s trip further reflected the close friendship and growing cooperation between Colombo and Malé.
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President Muizzu meets the Maldivian diaspora
During his visit to Colombo, President Muizzu held interactions with the Maldivian community residing in Sri Lanka. The occasion provided the opportunity for the President to hear from Maldivians studying, working, and living in the country. In his address to the community, President Muizzu spoke of the historic and cultural links between Maldives and Sri Lanka, and acknowledged the challenges faced by Maldivians living abroad, particularly with regards to visas, and assured that discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities were already underway to find practical and sustainable solutions.
The President also talked about how the two countries can work together on economic and social issues. He discussed proposals such as assisting the Bank of Maldives to open a branch in Sri Lanka and increasing Maldivian products in the Sri Lankan market. He also said that cooperation in education and health, two areas that have always brought the two countries closer, is very important. President Muizzu said that cooperation with Maldivian communities abroad would be a key part of his official visits abroad and called it a way to maintain close ties with Maldivians living outside the Maldives.
Expanding bilateral cooperation
Talks between Presidents Muizzu and Dissanayake focused heavily on expanding cooperation in several strategic sectors. The two leaders discussed trade, tourism, defence, education, healthcare, climate resilience, and technology partnerships. Sri Lanka invited Maldivian investors and businesses to explore opportunities in information technology, artificial intelligence, fisheries, tourism, agro-processing, and infrastructure development. These sectors are seen as important to Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery and long-term growth plans. Climate change also emerged as a major topic during the discussions. As two island nations highly vulnerable to rising sea levels and environmental challenges, both leaders agreed on the importance of regional cooperation and shared solutions. President Dissanayake thanked the Maldives for the humanitarian support it extended to Sri Lanka during difficult periods in recent years, while President Muizzu expressed confidence that both countries could turn their discussions into meaningful progress for their people.
Seven MoUs signed between Maldives and Sri Lanka
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of seven Memoranda of Understanding to bolster cooperation across several sectors. The agreements encompassed tourism, education, sports, youth development, defence, archiving cooperation, and academic partnerships. Among the noteworthy agreements were partnerships between the Maldives National Defence Force and Sri Lanka’s General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and academic cooperation between the University of Colombo and Maldivian institutions. The agreements represented a wider effort by both governments to modernize and deepen their partnership beyond traditional areas of cooperation. Officials on both sides described the agreements as an important step towards long-term cooperation and people-to-people engagement.
Diplomatic presence strengthened
Another important outcome of the visit was the decision by both countries to allocate land for new diplomatic premises. Sri Lanka agreed to provide land in Colombo for the Maldivian High Commission, while the Maldives offered land in Malé for the Sri Lankan High Commission. The move is expected to improve diplomatic operations and symbolize the growing importance of bilateral ties between the two neighbours.
Maldives-Sri Lanka Business Forum: Business and investment opportunities
President Muizzu also participated in the Maldives-Sri Lanka Business Forum, where he invited Sri Lankan and international investors to explore opportunities in the Maldives. Speaking at the forum, the President said the Maldives was focused not only on tourism but also on building a modern and technology-driven economy. He encouraged businesses to take part in infrastructure projects, sustainable tourism initiatives, digital innovation, and food security programs.
President Muizzu pointed out that Sri Lankan businesses already play an important role in the Maldivian economy, particularly in tourism and services. He stressed that stronger economic partnerships would benefit both nations and contribute to greater regional connectivity across the Indian Ocean. Referring to recent international technology investments in the Maldives, the President said his government was committed to creating an open and forward-looking economy that welcomes partnerships and innovation.
Cultural and symbolic engagements
The visit also included several symbolic and cultural engagements designed to reinforce the friendship between the two countries. President Muizzu and President Dissanayake took part in a tree-planting ceremony at Vihara Mahadevi Park in Colombo, celebrating the anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Muizzu held meetings with a number of senior Sri Lankan leaders, including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne, and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. The discussions centered on strengthening political cooperation and maintaining close institutional ties.
The Maldivian President and the first lady also attended a state banquet hosted by President Dissanayake and visited important cultural and diplomatic sites in Colombo, including the Maldives Cultural Centre and the National Museum. Meanwhile, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed carried out a separate program of engagements focused on healthcare and women’s empowerment. She visited Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children where she met patients and medical staff, and later visited the Good Market Sri Lanka initiative, which supports women-led businesses and sustainable entrepreneurship.
A relationship built for decades
Sri Lanka and the Maldives share one of the closest and longest-standing bilateral relationships in South Asia. Diplomatic relations were formally established on 26 July 1965, soon after the Maldives attained independence. The two countries have enjoyed strong cooperation in the areas of trade, education, healthcare, and security over the decades. Sri Lanka has been an important destination for Maldivian students, patients, and travellers. Generations of Maldivians have studied in Sri Lankan schools and universities and Sri Lankan professionals continue to play an important role in the education and healthcare sectors of the Maldives. The close geographical proximity of the two countries has also led to strong people-to-people contacts making the relationship unique in the region.
The visit ends with optimism
As his state visit concluded, President Muizzu expressed gratitude to the Sri Lankan government and people for the warm hospitality shown to him and his delegation. In a public message shared at the end of the visit, he said he was leaving Sri Lanka with renewed confidence in the future of Maldives-Sri Lanka relations. The President described his discussions with President Dissanayake and Prime Minister Amarasuriya as productive and forward-looking. He stressed that both countries were committed to translating the signed agreements and commitments into practical benefits for their citizens. President Muizzu also stressed the need to strengthen trade, investment and financial cooperation, including the ongoing discussions to open a branch of the Bank of Maldives in Sri Lanka. As the Maldives and Sri Lanka celebrate their 61st year of diplomatic relations, the visit was widely seen as a powerful signal of the continued partnership, regional cooperation, and shared economic aspirations between the two neighboring countries.
