News Desk
MALE’, Maldives —President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka presided over the signing of a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a treaty, marking deepening ties between the two neighbours. The agreements, signed during President Dissanayake’s first state visit to the Maldives since taking office in September 2024, underscore a shared commitment to enhanced cooperation in diplomacy and legal affairs. The MoU, formalized between the Maldives’ Foreign Service Institute (FOSIM) and Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI), establishes a framework for collaboration in diplomatic training, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of institutional resources and documentation.
A separate Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, previously approved by the Cabinet, aims to bolster legal cooperation by facilitating assistance in criminal investigations, prosecutions, and the exchange of evidence. The signing ceremony followed official talks at the President’s Office, where President Muizzu emphasized the enduring diplomatic relationship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. He highlighted the robust people-to-people connections and praised the contributions of Sri Lankan expatriates to the Maldives’ development. President Dissanayake, in turn, reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to advancing bilateral ties across diverse sectors, including education, climate action, fisheries, agriculture, food security, maritime safety, air connectivity, youth development, and sports.
President Dissanayake arrived at Velana International Airport earlier on Monday, where he was warmly welcomed by President Muizzu. An official ceremony honouring the Sri Lankan leader was accorded at the Republic Square.
The visit, at the invitation of President Muizzu, underscores the Maldives’ strategic focus on strengthening regional partnerships. Since establishing diplomatic relations on July 26, 1965, the two nations have nurtured a close relationship rooted in shared cultural and historical ties.
