President: Collaboration with Sri Lanka will be solidified through various avenues

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated on Monday that numerous areas for cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Maldives have been identified, and the bilateral relationship is poised for further strengthening.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is currently undertaking a state visit to the Maldives. He participated in a consultative meeting with the Maldivian government on Monday.

After the meeting, President Muizzu spoke at a ceremony at the President's Office, noting that the two countries had discussed many issues. The President mentioned trade, education, defence, vocational training, youth relations, fisheries and agriculture as the sectors that were discussed for collaboration.

The agreements and consultations exchanged between the two countries will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries, he said.

He also mentioned that the agreement signed to combat crime will assist in decreasing such occurrences, and the MoU signed to offer essential training to the youth in the foreign services will create additional training opportunities in that sector.

The President said that Sri Lanka and Maldives are geographically connected and the main 'foundation' of the close relationship between the two countries is the close relationship between the people of the two countries. He stressed the importance of maintaining those relations during the meeting.

The President commended Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his endeavors to bolster the nation's economy. He expressed confidence that Sri Lanka would progress toward a sustainable economic model under President Dissanayake's leadership. The President also conveyed gratitude to the Sri Lankan government for the services rendered to Maldivian citizens residing within the country.

Maldives established political relations with Sri Lanka on July 26, 1965. So this year marks the 60th anniversary of the relationship between the two countries.

This visit marks President Dissanayake's first to Maldives since he assumed office in September 2024; his departure is scheduled for Wednesday.