The Maldivian government has denied any plans to develop a free economic zone with neighboring Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan media outlets have reported Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to visit the Maldives in July. According to the media outlets, the main priority of the visit will be discussions on the establishment of a Maldives–Sri Lanka Free Economic and Free Movement Zone.
Maldivian Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed denied the reports on Friday, citing that the government has no such plans and nor have any discussions taken place in this regard. 
Apart from Minister Saeed’s remarks, the Maldivian government or the Sri Lankan government has made any official comments regarding the media reports. 
According to the reports, Dissanayake is scheduled to undertake a three-day official visit to the Maldives in the last week of July. If so, the trip will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Maldives and Sri Lanka on July 29th.