🤝 Maldivian President to Visit SL: Trade & Economic Reforms Focus

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is scheduled for a State visit to Sri Lanka next month to hold high-level talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The visit aims to revitalize bilateral ties and address long-standing economic hurdles. • Economic Cooperation & Trade: Discussions will prioritize expanding trade relations, investment, and collaboration in tourism, fisheries, and infrastructure. A key goal is the potential establishment of the Bank of Maldives (BML) in Sri Lanka, an initiative pending for over 20 years. • Immigration & Connectivity: A critical agenda item is the review of strict immigration regulations imposed on Maldivians since 2019. Stringent documentation has seen the Maldivian resident population in Sri Lanka drop from nearly 20,000 in 2017 to approximately 2,000 today. • Market Shift: Due to current travel hurdles, the Maldivian government noted a shift in their citizens seeking healthcare and education services in Malaysia and South India instead of Sri Lanka. • Regional Impact: The talks will also cover ICT/technology and sustainable development, aiming to strengthen Sri Lanka’s role as a regional hub and enhance Indian Ocean stability. _Source: Based on briefing at the Maldivian High Commission, April 2026._