July 31, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake returned to Sri Lanka late on the evening of July 30, following the conclusion of a three-day official visit to the Republic of Maldives.
The visit, held at the invitation of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, marked a significant step in reinforcing the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two Indian Ocean neighbours.
Beginning on July 28, the visit comprised a series of high-level engagements, including comprehensive discussions with President Muizzu, as well as key members of the Maldivian Cabinet and senior government figures. The talks addressed a wide spectrum of topics ranging from bilateral cooperation and regional stability to pressing global matters of shared concern.
Several formal agreements were signed during the visit, reflecting a growing commitment to deepen collaboration in multiple areas. Among them was a Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives and Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike Diplomatic Training Institute.
This pact aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, training programmes, and diplomatic expertise between the two institutions. Additionally, a bilateral agreement on mutual legal assistance was concluded, with a focus on strengthening judicial cooperation, particularly in matters relating to criminal justice.
President Dissanayake’s visit included a number of symbolic and diplomatic highlights. A formal state banquet was held in his honour at the Kurumba Resort, hosted by President Muizzu, underscoring the cordial ties between the two nations. On July 30, the Sri Lankan head of state participated in a ceremonial tree-planting event at Sultan Park in Malé. This act, commemorating six decades of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, stood as a tribute to the enduring friendship and shared values between the countries.
In addition to official engagements, President Dissanayake addressed a business forum jointly arranged by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Malé and the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. There, he emphasised the importance of enhancing economic cooperation, particularly in tourism, trade, and labour mobility.
Later, he met with members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in the Maldives, acknowledging their contribution to strengthening people-to-people links and reaffirming his government’s commitment to their welfare.
The President was accompanied by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, along with other senior officials. The delegation’s visit is expected to pave the way for a new chapter of enhanced cooperation, rooted in mutual respect, strategic partnership, and cultural affinity.
