President Muizzu meets Maldivian community in Colombo during Sri Lanka visit

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed met with Maldivians living in Colombo on Monday as part of the President’s ongoing State Visit to Sri Lanka.

During the gathering, President Muizzu interacted with community members, inquiring about their well‑being and listening to their concerns. Ministers and senior government officials accompanied the President and First Lady at the event.

Speaking to the community, President Muizzu highlighted the long‑standing friendship and close people‑to‑people ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. He said discussions held with the Sri Lankan government during the visit included key issues affecting Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka, particularly visa‑related challenges. The President expressed confidence that continued cooperation between the two countries would lead to a sustainable solution.

President Muizzu also outlined efforts to expand economic cooperation, including plans to establish a Bank of Maldives (BML) presence in Sri Lanka and introduce Maldivian products to the Sri Lankan market. He added that the government is working to strengthen collaboration in education and healthcare, while also improving services at the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo.

The President noted that meeting Maldivian communities abroad during official visits is a commitment he intends to uphold, reflecting his pledge to maintain close engagement with Maldivians living overseas.