Sri Lanka boosts ties with Maldives

• Cabinet nod to ink MoUs with Maldives on Customs regulations, health sector

The Government has decided to boost its cooperation with the Maldives to further strengthen, promote and improve affiliation and mutual assistance.

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved two proposals following the Attorney General clearing the draft Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs).

One of the Cabinet clearances was for the resolution presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies Minister to enhance cooperation and mutual assistance in Customs affairs.

The key objective of this MoU is to strengthen mutual understanding and communication between the two countries. 

The second approval was for the proposal tabled by Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to bolster combined efforts in the health sector.

The aim is to improve health services, promote research and development (R&D) activities and enhance the overall well-being of the people of the two countries.  “Sri Lanka and Maldives have a longstanding relationship in the region. 

The Maldivian citizens have high regard for the education and health sectors of Sri Lanka. Most of their children come for studies, while the majority of Maldivians come for health purposes. Therefore, both these proposals will further strengthen the ties between the two countries,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

He also said it is a win-win agreement for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.