The Government of the Maldives and Government of Sri Lanka have exchanged an Agreement of Cooperation and three Memoranda of Understanding. The Agreement and Memoranda are to facilitate practical engagement between the two governments.
The agreement and memoranda of understanding are as follows:
An agreement on the facilitation of Visa Arrangements, which will supersede the previous arrangement of 2008. Under this renewed agreement, free 90-day on-arrival visas for visitors between the two countries will continue to be provided. Nationals of either country wishing to conduct business and pursue investments can be granted multiple entry non-resident business visas, thereby facilitating commercial engagements and private sector collaboration.
Further, this agreement will also facilitate multiple entry visas for Maldivian students enrolled in Sri Lankan educational institutes, and for their parents and legal guardians provided the students in question are under eighteen years of age.
An MoU on Cooperation in the area of Social Protection between the two countries to help promote collaboration between the two countries in terms of providing support and protect vulnerable members of society, including children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The second MoU was on Higher Education under which the Maldives and Sri Lanka will pursue expanding education opportunities for students of both countries, whilst also sharing knowledge and expertise pertinent to the water sector.
The third MoU was on Vocational Training and Youth Development, which will increase knowledge and experience sharing pertinent to helping youth develop their social and leadership skills. This agreement will also facilitate cultural exchanges between the students of both countries and facilitate training for both countries’ academics.
