President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that through cooperation between Maldives and Sri Lanka, the economic benefits gained from the Indian Ocean can be delivered to citizens in the most effective way.
He made these remarks while speaking at a state banquet hosted by the Sri Lankan government.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said that the Indian Ocean is not merely a boundary, but an important bridge that connects the history and culture of the two nations and supports economic growth.
“Together we can turn the Indian Ocean, once a passage of merchants, into a living bridge of innovation, prosperity and shared hope. For both our nations, the ocean is not a border, it is the road home. It has whispered our history and carried our hopes. It sustains our economies, shapes our cultures and teaches us the quiet wisdom of co-existence” he said.
He further emphasised that maintaining cooperation between the two countries is essential to ensure that the Indian Ocean remains a zone of security, stability, and opportunity for all, and that this would allow the economic benefits of the ocean to be shared with citizens in the best possible way.
The President also noted that the Maldives and Sri Lanka are close neighbours, like one family. He said this relationship is built not just on temporary benefits but on long-standing mutual respect developed over time.
He added that Sri Lanka has consistently supported the Maldives whenever assistance was needed, and that the Maldivian people are deeply grateful for this help, which has contributed to the country’s development.
The President highlighted that climate change is the greatest challenge facing island nations like the Maldives. He said both the Maldives and Sri Lanka have developed resilience in facing natural and human-induced disasters.
Speaking about future cooperation, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said both countries are actively working together in areas such as digital transformation, sustainable tourism, and renewable energy development.