Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday, 29 April 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Maldivian President
Mohamed Muizzu
By Amira Cader
Maldivian Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef outlined key details of the upcoming State visit of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to Sri Lanka, scheduled for next month during a briefing at the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo yesterday.
Shareef said President Muizzu is expected to hold high-level talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with a focus on strengthening bilateral ties between the two neighbouring island nations.
He emphasised that Sri Lanka and the Maldives share deep-rooted historical, cultural and economic ties and as close neighbours in the Indian Ocean, enhancing cooperation would be mutually beneficial for both economies.
Key agenda items for the visit include expanding trade relations, improving connectivity and boosting collaboration in sectors such as tourism and investment. Increasing trade and economic engagement between the two countries remains a priority.
Shareef also addressed the strict immigration regulations currently affecting Maldivian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka, which were implemented following the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks. He noted that the Maldivian Government hopes to engage in discussions to review these measures and ease travel, while ensuring that necessary security protocols are maintained.
He also highlighted the decline in the Maldivian population residing in Sri Lanka, noting that numbers have dropped from an estimated 10,000–20,000 in 2017 to around 2,000 at present. He attributed this decrease to stringent documentation requirements.
He noted that in many cases, when a female student travels abroad, she is accompanied by her mother, making it more challenging for families to comply with stringent regulations. As a result, he observed that many Maldivians are increasingly turning to destinations such as Malaysia and South India for healthcare and related services.
He also revealed that discussions on establishing the Bank of Maldives (BML) in Sri Lanka have been ongoing for over two decades, with approvals still pending. Shareef expressed optimism that the upcoming engagements between the two countries could help advance these long-delayed plans, creating new opportunities to strengthen economic ties and bilateral cooperation.
The upcoming State visit is expected to further strengthen diplomatic relations, enhance people-to-people connections, and open new avenues for economic cooperation between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
During an official visit to Male last year, President Dissanayake held bilateral talks with Maldivian President Muizzu, reaffirming the longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, education, tourism and fisheries, while also enhancing connectivity and people-to-people links.
Both leaders emphasised the importance of expanding economic engagement and exploring new opportunities in key sectors such as technology, infrastructure and sustainable development.
Shareef added that closer collaboration between the two nations would contribute positively to regional stability and economic growth, reinforcing their position as key partners in the Indian Ocean.
