Warm Welcome Accorded to the President of the Maldives at the Presidential Secretariat
The official welcoming ceremony for the President of the Maldives, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived in Sri Lanka on a State Visit at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Dissanayake.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is undertaking this State Visit with the objective of further strengthening economic, cultural and social ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, as well as enhancing the multifaceted partnership between the two countries.
Warm Welcome Accorded to the President of the Maldives at the Presidential Secretariat
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed were escorted to the Presidential Secretariat premises with a Police Mounted Escort, following which they were ceremonially received with full honours by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Following the playing of the national anthems of both countries, the official welcoming ceremony commenced.
On this occasion, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial gun salute with full State honours. Thereafter, the President of the Maldives inspected the Sri Lanka Armed Forces Guard of Honour.
Subsequently, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake exchanged courtesies, following which members of the Maldivian and Sri Lankan State delegations were introduced.
President Muizzu also signed the commemorative visitorsâ book for Heads of State, leaving a special note.
Representing the Government of the Maldives were Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam; Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Transport Mohamed Saeed; Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources Ahmed Shiyam; Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan; Chief of Staff to the President Abdulla Fayaz; Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef; High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol Mohamed Shahudy; Social Secretary to the First Lady Khadeeja Nashwa; Deputy Under Secretary to the President Mohamed Hassaan; and Personal Director to the First Lady Lubaba Ali.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando; Minister of Science and Technology Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha; Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, South-East Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala; and Sri Lankaâs High Commissioner to the Maldives Mohamed Rizvi Hassen.
Maldives and Sri Lanka Exchange Seven Memoranda of Understanding
Maldives and Sri Lanka Exchange Seven Memoranda of Understanding
Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), signed across several sectors between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, were formally exchanged this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives.
Maldives and Sri Lanka Exchange Seven Memoranda of Understanding
Marking a new chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations, the MoUs cover cooperation in the fields of health, sports, tourism, education and defence.
Maldives and Sri Lanka Exchange Seven Memoranda of Understanding
Accordingly:
1. MoU on Tourism Cooperation between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath.
2. MoU on Archiving Cooperation between the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka and the National Archives of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath.
3. MoU on Training and Professional Development of Teachers and School Leaders between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development of the Maldives and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mr. Vijitha Herath.
4. MoU on Sports and Youth Development Cooperation between the Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was exchanged by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Iruthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage.
5. MoU on Defence Cooperation between the National Counter Terrorism Centre of the Maldives and the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr. Masood Imad, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired).
6. MoU between the Ministry of Defence and National Service of the Maldives and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University of Sri Lanka was exchanged by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr. Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.
7. MoU on Academic Cooperation between the University of Colombo of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr. Masood Imad and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.
The state visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, undertaken at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, aims to further strengthen economic, cultural and social ties between the two countries, while enhancing their multifaceted partnership.
Cabinet Ministers, government officials and members of the Maldivian delegation, representing both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, were present at the occasion.
Joint Statements of State Visit of His Excellency Dr.Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of the Maldives.
Statement to the media by H.E. the President of Sri Lanka
His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Hon. Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Honourable Ministers, Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka
It is an immense pleasure to welcome His Excellency the President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, and his delegation, including Cabinet Ministers.
In July 2025, we had the opportunity to visit the Maldives a country that we can say, without a doubt, is like paradise. During that visit, which marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between our two nations, I invited His Excellency the President of the Maldives to undertake a State Visit to Sri Lanka. I thank him for accepting my invitation.
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are two beautiful countries that respect each other. They are nations of warm and hospitable people.
It is true that our formal diplomatic relations began on 26 July 1965, when the Maldives gained independence. However, our relations go back centuries beyond this date. According to the historical records of the Mahavamsa, some of those who came with Prince Vijaya settled in the Maldives.
When viewed from this perspective, our relationship built on friendship, mutual respect, and closes cultural and linguistic bonds is deeply rooted. These ties continue to strengthen the bond between our two countries.
Over the years, these historic connections have become the foundation for achieving our shared aspirations for peace, prosperity and sustainable development in our region.
It must be noted that diversifying trade between Sri Lanka and the Maldives is an important aspect of strengthening bilateral relations. I would like to particularly mention that, among SAARC countries, the Maldives is the third-largest export destination for Sri Lankan goods.
This is a testament to our long-standing people-to-people ties and friendly bilateral relations. That closeness provides a firm basis for both our countries to work together with mutual understanding in our development journey.
When we consider the climate, humanity, economy, cultural diversity, lifestyle and hospitality of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, we see many similarities between our countries.
I would say that the only difference between us is that the Maldives is a beautiful country with flat terrain, while Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with mountainous landscapes.
There are many heartfelt experiences that define the close relationship between our countries.
In particular, I wish to respectfully recall the support extended by the Government and people of the Maldives in the immediate aftermath of the unfortunate cyclonic disaster that Sri Lanka recently faced. The Maldivian Government and people exemplified the grace of immediately coming to the aid of a neighbour in distress. I expressed my gratitude to President Muizzu for the support and generosity of his Government and people. I remember this helping hand in a time of need with deep respect.
During the bilateral talks, President Muizzu and I, together with our respective delegations, reviewed the current state of our multifaceted relations.
In particular, we focused on ways in which our two countries could work together in international fora to address the shared challenge of climate change and its impacts, which threaten our very existence. The Maldives is engaged in a sustained effort to combat sea-level rise and global warming and in this effort, Sri Lanka stands as a partner.
We exchanged views on ways to further enhance and diversify cooperation across many areas for the mutual benefit of our nations and peoples. We also entered into Memoranda of Understanding in the sectors of tourism, education, higher education, health, sports and youth development and defence.
Sri Lanka recognises the Maldives as an important economic partner in the region, and we are keen to further expand this partnership. I invited Maldivian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka particularly in information technology and artificial intelligence, fisheries and agro-processing, tourism and leisure, as well as real estate and urban infrastructure.
I wish every success to the Business Forum to be held tomorrow (5 May) and I look forward to many fruitful partnerships emerging from it.
As island nations, we are heavily dependent on the ocean. In this context, I thank President Muizzu for presenting insightful proposals aimed at enhancing cooperation between our two countries in the fisheries sector.
I also understand that President Muizzu will lead the launch in Colombo of fisheries products produced under the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). I convey my best wishes for a successful event and a fruitful partnership.
I further informed President Muizzu regarding Sri Lanka’s interest in exploring additional avenues of collaboration in the boat-building sector, which holds considerable potential for mutual benefit.
The success of the Maldives’ tourism industry has a positive impact on Sri Lanka, as many tourists choose both Sri Lanka and the Maldives as a twin destination. There are many Sri Lankan companies that have invested in the Maldivian tourism industry. Therefore, it is opportune for us to explore opportunities to derive mutual benefit from this sector.
There is already excellent air connectivity between the Maldives and Sri Lanka and there is growing potential for collaboration in air services as well as maritime connectivity.
During our discussions this morning, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to regional security and stability.
Sri Lanka and the Maldives are located along key routes in the Indian Ocean. We both face common challenges. We must work together to ensure that our oceans are not used for nefarious activities that threaten our nations.
On this special occasion, I would like to announce that Sri Lanka has allocated a plot of land in Colombo for the High Commission of the Maldives. This gesture has been reciprocated by the Maldives, which has allocated land for the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Malé. Both governments are working to finalise the necessary agreements.
In conclusion, I once again convey my sincere appreciation to President Muizzu and the members of the distinguished delegation for undertaking this visit to Sri Lanka.
Your Excellency’s presence here reflects the goodwill, trust, and friendship that underpin the strong partnership between our two countries. We are confident that this visit will further consolidate our relations in the years to come.
I would like to remind President Muizzu that the doors of his second home are always open to him for positive endeavours. Thank you.
Speech delivered by Maldivian President H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at the joint press briefing;
Your Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Distinguished members of both delegations, Members of the media, ladies and gentlemen,
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives
Assalamualaikum and a very good morning. It is a great honour to be in Colombo, a city that reflects the deep history, resilience and friendship that bind our two nations.
I extend my sincere gratitude to President Dissanayake, the Government and people of Sri Lanka, for the warm hospitality extended to my delegation, my wife and myself. This visit marks not only a reaffirmation of our close neighbourly ties, but also the beginning of a renewed and forward-looking partnership between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake and I have concluded highly productive discussions covering a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues. We agreed to elevate our partnership across key sectors, including trade and investment, health, defence and security, education, youth and sports development, fisheries, environment and social development.
Today, we concluded several important agreements that will strengthen cooperation in areas such as higher education and training, archiving cooperation, health, defence, youth and sports development, and tourism. Our focus now is clear: delivery and implementation, ensuring that these agreements translate into tangible benefits for our people.
Economic cooperation was a central pillar of our discussions today. I expressed appreciation for the significant contribution of Sri Lankans to the development of the Maldives and equally the valued presence of the Maldivian community here in Sri Lanka.
Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding trade and investment flows, creating a more enabling and investor-friendly environment, and unlocking new business opportunities.
Tomorrow, the Maldives–Sri Lanka Business Forum will serve as a key platform to connect businesses, investors and innovators from both countries. We are also exploring concrete initiatives, including the potential establishment of a Bank of Maldives presence here in Sri Lanka and introducing premium Maldives fisheries products to the Sri Lankan market.
At the same time, I underscored the importance of addressing the trade imbalance, ensuring that our economic relationship becomes more balanced, equitable and mutually beneficial.
As education and youth empowerment remain at the heart of our national priorities, we agreed to strengthen collaboration in higher education and vocational training, skills development for future industries, institutional partnerships and knowledge exchange. Our goal is clear: to equip our young people with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
As island nations, our future is inseparable from the Indian Ocean. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to sustainable fisheries management, protecting marine resources and strengthening maritime security cooperation. The Maldives deeply values Sri Lanka's continued support through joint exercises, training and capacity building.
Beyond policy and economics, our relationship is rooted in people, in culture and in shared heritage. We agreed to expand cooperation through cultural exchanges, academic collaboration and social development initiatives. These connections will continue to serve as the foundation of our enduring friendship.
We also held important discussions on global issues, particularly climate change, which remains an existential threat to both our nations. Therefore, we reaffirmed our commitment to stronger international advocacy, joint environmental initiatives and collective action for climate resilience.
Excellencies, today marks the beginning of a new and dynamic chapter in Maldives–Sri Lanka relations. The Maldives remains steadfast in its commitment to deepen this partnership, advancing regional cooperation and promoting peace, stability and shared prosperity.
Together, we will continue to build a partnership that delivers real results for our people and contributes meaningfully to the Indian Ocean region. Thank you.
Maldivian President Plants a Sapling to Mark 60 Years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
President of the Maldives, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Maldivian President Plants a Sapling to Mark 60 Years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
Upon arrival at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.
Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.
Sri Lanka and Maldives Strengthen Ties with Productive Bilateral Talks
Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.
Sri Lanka and Maldives Strengthen Ties with Productive Bilateral Talks
The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.
Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.
The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.
Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.
The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.
