President Anura Kumara Dissanayake hosted a state banquet at the President’s House in Colombo Fort on Monday (May 4) in honour of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, with both leaders using their addresses to frame the bilateral relationship in terms of shared geography, history and climate vulnerability.
President Dissanayake said the long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives had been “further strengthened” by the visit, citing centuries-old cultural connections and similarities between the two languages. He said Sri Lanka considered it an honour to have hosted the signing of the Maldives’ Declaration of Independence in 1965, describing it as “a symbol of unity, cooperation and goodwill” and the reason “Maldivians regard Sri Lanka as their second home.”
The President said the Maldives was “a reliable and valuable partner in efforts towards Sri Lanka’s social and economic development, as well as regional peace and prosperity,” highlighting joint engagement on global issues. He pointed to shared challenges of rising sea levels, climate change and global economic crises, arguing these “can only be addressed through unity and collective purpose,” and expressed appreciation for the Maldives’ support during Sri Lanka’s recent difficulties.
In his reply, President Muizzu described the occasion as “not merely a diplomatic engagement, but a celebration of a friendship as deep and gentle as the ocean that connects the two island nations.” He said the friendship was “founded on mutual respect and has successfully withstood the tests of time,” recalling that Sri Lanka had “always extended a steadfast hand of friendship to the Maldives.”
“The ocean does not divide Sri Lanka and the Maldives, but unites them,” Muizzu said, calling the Indian Ocean a region the two countries had a shared interest in keeping peaceful and stable. Addressing climate change as a pressing global challenge, he called for joint advocacy on climate justice and “the rights of small nations to survive and thrive.”
Muizzu also acknowledged Sri Lanka’s achievements in literacy, healthcare and human development as a long-standing inspiration to the Maldives, and signed the official commemorative book for visiting heads of state. The banquet was attended by the full Maldivian delegation alongside Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih and senior Sri Lankan ministers and officials.
Muizzu’s three-day state visit — his first to Sri Lanka since assuming office in November 2023 — concluded on Wednesday morning (May 6) following the May 5 Maldives–Sri Lanka Business Forum that drew more than 400 business leaders from the two countries. Seven Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the trip across defence, education, health, tourism, sports, archives and youth development, with a reciprocal land allocation agreed for diplomatic infrastructure in Colombo and Malé.
Source: The Island.
