Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu left Sri Lanka this morning (06) after completing his State Visit. 

His visit from 03 -06 May marked the first to Sri Lanka since assuming office in 2023.

Prior to his departure, President Mohamed Muizzu attended the Maldives–Sri Lanka Business Forum in Colombo.

Sri Lanka and the Maldives reaffirmed their long-standing friendship and commitment to deeper economic cooperation at the Forum, with leaders from both countries highlighting shared resilience, mutual support and growing opportunities for partnership. 

The forum brought together policymakers and more than 400 business leaders and investors from both countries, reflecting growing momentum to expand trade, investment and long-term economic collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. 

Addressing those gathered, President Muizzu said the Maldives is at “a pivotal moment in its development journey”, describing the country as “a nation on the rise” building on resilience while looking towards “a future of development and prosperity”. 

Highlighting the close ties between the two countries, President Muizzu said Sri Lanka and the Maldives share deep historical, cultural and economic links, adding that their partnership is rooted in trust, mutual respect and continuous engagement. 

He underscored that development in the Maldives is “people-centred, technology-enabled and environmentally responsible”, while placing strong emphasis on the role of the private sector in shaping the country’s economic future. 

“We have placed private sector-led growth at the very heart of our national agenda,” he said, noting that his administration is implementing “an ambitious reform programme to facilitate business, incentivise investment and empower entrepreneurs”. 

President Muizzu also pointed to key reforms, including a modernised foreign investment law and revised investor entry requirements aimed at ensuring “clarity, predictability and transparency”, expressing confidence that these measures would strengthen investor confidence and support long-term growth. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya echoed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties, noting that Sri Lanka too “stands at a pivotal moment in its economic journey”. 

She said the country has navigated recent global and domestic challenges, including economic pressures and severe weather impacts in late 2025, through fiscal discipline, structural reforms, strengthened governance and strong international support. 

“We are steadily building a stronger and more stable economic foundation, with a clear and promising path ahead,” she said. 

The Prime Minister placed particular emphasis on the enduring friendship between the two nations, recalling the Maldives’ support to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.  

She expressed gratitude for the assistance extended by the Maldivian government, businesses and people, noting that such support reflected “the depth of friendship that goes beyond traditional cooperation”.

Highlighting economic opportunities, she said tourism remains a key sector for collaboration, noting Sri Lanka’s record tourist arrivals in 2025 despite adverse conditions and pointing to growing prospects in sustainable and high-end tourism, including medical tourism. 

She also observed that bilateral trade, valued at US$137 million in 2025, “remains far below its potential”, calling for expanded cooperation, particularly in food production and fisheries processing. 

Maldives Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, stressed the need to translate dialogue into concrete action, highlighting the Maldives’ ongoing economic transformation and openness to partnerships. 

He said the government is pursuing diversification beyond tourism, focusing on sectors such as logistics, digital services, renewable energy, fisheries and financial services, with the aim of positioning the Maldives as a strategic hub in the Indian Ocean. 

The Minister noted that recent reforms and prudent fiscal management have strengthened macroeconomic confidence, enabling major infrastructure developments, including expanded airport capacity and connectivity. 

He also highlighted global supply chain shifts, digital transformation and climate resilience as key areas for collaboration, stating that “the Maldives is open, ambitious and ready to partner”. 

All three leaders emphasised that the strong historical and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives provide a solid foundation for future cooperation.

President Muizzu called for building “meaningful partnerships that shape our shared future”, while Minister Saeed stressed that “this forum is not about dialogue alone, it is about action”. 

Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, along with members of the Maldivian diplomatic delegation and the Sri Lanka–Maldives business community, attended the event. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Forum in the Maldives yesterday, aimed at inviting the Maldivian business community to invest in Sri Lanka by showcasing the country’s high potential in sectors such as investment, trade and tourism.

According to the President’s Office, the forum was jointly organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission in the Maldives and the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. 

Addressing the Maldivian business community, President Dissanayake highlighted the opportunities and capabilities for strengthening economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President emphasized that since overcoming the 2022 economic crisis, Sri Lanka has achieved economic stability through robust reforms and international collaboration, making it a more conducive environment for investment.

The President stated that challenges such as high inflation have now been brought under control and that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have been strengthened. He noted that at present the country is on a clear and stable economic path, with a projected 5% growth in 2025. 

President Dissanayake also emphasized the political stability established following the 2024 parliamentary election, where a two-thirds majority government was formed. Under the national vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” Sri Lanka is progressing toward transparent governance and a society free of corruption and irregularities.

The President informed Maldivian investors about Sri Lanka’s investment-friendly environment and highlighted major opportunities in sectors such as tourism, food processing, fisheries, real estate, urban infrastructure and information and communication technology (ICT).

Commending the strategies implemented by the Maldives to promote its tourism sector, the President emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in expanding the tourism industry within the Indian Ocean region. With Sri Lanka expecting 3 million tourist arrivals in 2025, he noted the great potential for Maldivian investors to invest in new hotel ventures.

The President also pointed out the mutual benefits that could be achieved through enhanced collaboration in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture and agro-processing.

Special attention was given to the ICT sector, where Sri Lankan professionals have demonstrated strong capabilities in adopting emerging technologies such as AI, IoT and machinery learning. He stated that this offers considerable opportunities for fresh investments in the digital economy.

Long-term investment opportunities were also discussed, particularly in areas like maritime logistics, urban development projects and luxury housing. The President assured that Sri Lanka is in the process of introducing the necessary legal reforms to protect investor rights and encourage new investments. 

The forum also spotlighted the Colombo Port City, which the President described as a future hub for finance, healthcare, education and innovation, offering immense investment potential as a modern financial and business area.

Describing the Maldives not just as a neighbour but as Sri Lanka’s closest friend and trusted partner, President Dissanayake invited Maldivian entrepreneurs to become part of Sri Lanka’s forward journey by investing in its future.

Maldivian Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, also addressed the gathering, along with Mr. Sudesh Mendis, Chairman of the Sri Lanka–Maldives Business Council.

A Q&A session followed, where the President and other officials responded to queries raised by members of the business community.

Top Maldivian business leaders from sectors such as hospitality, F&B, healthcare, construction, maritime and trade participated in the forum. The event served as a valuable platform for meaningful dialogue and enhanced bilateral cooperation in these key areas.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with the Sri Lankan delegation, participated in the event. Officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission in the Maldives, including the Acting High Commissioner, were also in attendance. (Newswire)

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A preliminary discussion has been held regarding the ‘UAE- Sri Lanka Business Forum and Trade Fair’ slated for October 2023, the President’s Media Division (PMD) stated. 

The PMD said in a statement that the discussion was held under the patronage of the President’s Secretary, Saman Ekanayake, at the President’s Office yesterday (26).

The event is scheduled to take place from October 20 to 29, 2023, at the RAK Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates. 

The Federation of Sri Lanka Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Sri Lanka Tourism Industry Board are jointly organizing this trade fair under the theme of ‘Strengthening economic relations between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates in the post-pandemic world.’

The primary objective of the exhibition is to explore new opportunities for Sri Lankan business entities in the economic contexts of the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf Straits, and the Middle East, and to strengthen business relationships between companies from the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf and the Middle East and Sri Lankan companies.

Additionally, the event aims to promote Sri Lankan exports such as products and services and improve bilateral trade, investment, employment opportunities, tourism, and financial cooperation between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

During the discussion, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake advised the relevant ministries and related line agency officials to provide the necessary support to the Federation of Sri Lanka Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Sri Lanka Tourism Industry Board to ensure the success of the conference.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President for Strategic Affairs, Chandani Wijewardana, senior officials of ministries and government institutions, officials of the United Arab Emirates Federation of Sri Lanka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Industry Board were present at the meeting. (NewsWire)

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