Dissanayake spoke at a joint press conference in Colombo during President Muizzu’s official visit to Sri Lanka, where both sides signed agreements across seven areas.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has described the Maldives as one of his country’s most important economic partners, speaking at a joint press conference in Colombo held during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing official visit to Sri Lanka.
Dissanayake pointed out that the Maldives is currently Sri Lanka’s third-largest export destination — a figure he said reflects not just trade statistics, but a relationship rooted in centuries of shared culture and history. While formal diplomatic ties between the two countries officially mark 60 years this year, he noted the connection between their peoples goes back far longer, with cultural and linguistic links forming a strong base for future cooperation.
The Sri Lankan President also took a moment to thank the Maldivian government and its people for their help after recent flooding in Sri Lanka. He called the response a clear sign of the warmth between the two nations and personally thanked President Muizzu for the support.
Seven areas of formal cooperation agreed
Trade & exports, Tourism connectivity, Boat building, Climate change, Maritime security, International platforms and Diplomatic missions.
Both sides formalised agreements across seven areas during the visit. Dissanayake also highlighted specific opportunities he sees for the two island nations, particularly in boat building, an industry where he believes shared expertise could benefit both countries. Improving travel links to make it easier for tourists to visit both destinations was another area he flagged as a priority.
On regional security, Dissanayake said both countries, as Indian Ocean neighbours, face many of the same challenges and that working together to maintain safety at sea and crack down on illegal maritime activity is essential.
Sri Lanka also reaffirmed its commitment to standing by the Maldives on climate change, an issue of existential concern for low-lying island nations.
On a practical diplomatic note, Dissanayake said both countries are in the final stages of allocating land to set up High Commissions in each other’s capitals a step that would further cement the growing partnership between the two nations.
