President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have returned to Malé following the conclusion of a State Visit to Sri Lanka, a trip that combined diplomatic talks, investment outreach, cultural engagements and meetings with the Maldivian community in Colombo.
The visit, held from 3 to 6 May 2026, was undertaken at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. It marked President Dr Muizzu’s first State Visit to Sri Lanka since assuming office in November 2023.
During official talks in Colombo, President Dr Muizzu and President Disanayaka discussed ways to strengthen the longstanding relationship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka and identify new areas for cooperation. The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding covering youth development, archiving cooperation, tourism, prevention of violent extremism, academic cooperation in the defence and health sectors, and teacher training and professional development.
The visit also carried symbolic significance, with the two Presidents taking part in a tree planting ceremony at Vihara Mahadevi Park to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Several senior Sri Lankan officials also paid courtesy calls on President Dr Muizzu during the visit, including Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Speaker of Parliament Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath. The meetings reflected continued efforts by both countries to maintain close political and institutional engagement.
Economic cooperation was also a key part of the visit. President Dr Muizzu delivered the keynote address at the Maldives–Sri Lanka Business Forum, where he called for greater participation from Sri Lankan investors and closer two-way investment ties. He also attended the launch of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company products in Sri Lanka, marking MIFCO’s effort to expand its value-added fisheries products into regional markets.
The President and First Lady attended a State Banquet hosted by President Disanayaka and visited the High Commission of the Maldives, the Maldives Cultural Centre and the Colombo National Museum. They also met members of the Maldivian community residing in Colombo.
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed held a separate programme of official engagements during the visit. She visited Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, where she toured the orthopaedic, plastic surgery and paediatric surgery wards and interacted with patients. She also visited the Good Market Sri Lanka Office, which showcases women-led businesses, and met entrepreneurs. Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar also hosted the First Lady for a Sri Lankan tea experience.
The visit followed President Disanayaka’s State Visit to the Maldives from 28 to 30 July 2025, which commemorated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President Dr Muizzu and the First Lady were accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
