July 29, Colombo (LNW): During his official visit to the Maldives, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake engaged in high-level bilateral talks with Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, marking a significant step forward in diplomatic engagement between the two neighbouring nations.
The meeting took place at the Presidential Office in Malé, where President Dissanayake was received with full ceremonial honours. Upon arrival, he was warmly welcomed by President Muizzu, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two leaders participated in a customary signing of the guest book, followed by a formal photograph to commemorate the occasion.
The talks that followed were both cordial and comprehensive, covering a broad range of issues aimed at enhancing cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The two heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to fostering stronger regional ties and acknowledged the importance of maintaining close collaboration in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
A key outcome of the discussions was the formal exchange of two bilateral agreements. The first, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Bandaranaike Diplomatic Training Institute and the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives (FOSIM), seeks to facilitate structured collaboration in the training of diplomats and the sharing of institutional knowledge, including diplomatic protocols, international law, and foreign policy strategy.
The second agreement focuses on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, providing a framework for cooperation in investigations, judicial proceedings, and the exchange of information to combat transnational crime. Both agreements are viewed as vital steps towards a more cohesive regional approach to governance, justice, and diplomacy.
The documents were formally exchanged by Dr Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. The presence of these senior officials added a strong sense of institutional support to the agreements, signalling intent to follow through on their implementation.
Following the conclusion of the formalities, both Presidents addressed the media, offering reflections on the day’s events and their shared aspirations for a future defined by mutual trust and cooperation. President Dissanayake described the visit as a timely opportunity to reaffirm the deep bonds between the two Indian Ocean nations, while President Muizzu welcomed Sri Lanka’s proactive approach to diplomatic engagement.
