Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the President of Sri Lanka, has stated that Maldives is an important partner in Sri Lanka’s economy. He made these remarks while speaking at a joint press conference held during his ongoing official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of the Maldivian President.
In his address, President Dissanayake highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries. He noted that while formal diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives mark 60 years, the relationship itself dates back much further. He emphasised that cultural and linguistic connections have long linked the two nations, forming a strong foundation for achieving shared aspirations.
President Dissanayake further stated that the Maldives is currently the third-largest export destination for Sri Lanka, underlining the importance of strengthening trade relations between the two countries. He added that this reflects the deep-rooted historical ties between their peoples.
During his speech, he also expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the Maldivian government and people following recent flooding in Sri Lanka. He described this as a clear example of the close and friendly relations between the two nations and thanked the President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, for the support.
The Sri Lankan President also referred to discussions held between the two sides, noting agreements to work more closely together on international platforms. He reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to supporting the Maldives in addressing climate change challenges.
Seven areas of cooperation were formalised through agreements between the two countries. With these developments, President Dissanayake reiterated that the Maldives remains a key economic partner for Sri Lanka in the region, and that efforts will continue to further strengthen this relationship.
He also highlighted potential areas for further collaboration, particularly in boat building, given that both nations are island states. Additionally, he stressed the importance of enhancing tourism cooperation and improving travel connectivity to facilitate easier movement for tourists visiting both countries.
Noting that both countries share the Indian Ocean region, President Dissanayake pointed out that they face similar challenges. He emphasised the need for joint efforts to ensure regional security and to combat illegal activities at sea.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties, he also mentioned progress in allocating land for the establishment of High Commissions in both countries, noting that final stages of this process are currently underway.