President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official visit to the Maldives from 20 to 30 July, to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, turned out to be both timely and impressive—mainly because it didn’t clash with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heavily-guarded and high-profile visit, which would have completely overshadowed him.

In that archipelagic nation of over 1,000 islands—a destination worth the visit—President Dissanayake had the spotlight to himself and received undivided attention. Both leaders were invited as chief guests to mark the Maldives’ Independence Day and to celebrate the 60 years of ties with India and Sri Lanka respectively, but on separate occasions. 

For President Dissanayake, the visit served as a much-needed boost at a time when public sentiment back home is increasingly uneasy—fuelled by tensions stirred by some of his own ministers and frustration over the lack of progress on key promises made to the people.

Speaking to the Sri Lankan business community in the Maldives, the President reassured them that he and his Cabinet carry an undeniable, inalienable responsibility to protect the trust placed in the current government.

Coinciding with the President’s visit, MP Namal Rajapaksa was also on the same flight to the Maldives for a private trip. However, there was no public visibility of him during the stay. His sudden appearance in court shortly after returning to Sri Lanka went viral. Several Maldivian journalists had been trying to capture photos of MP Rajapaksa to feature in their newspapers, but none succeeded. The Sri Lankan security team maintained such tight control that no other individuals were caught on lenses.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took part in a ceremonial tree-planting event on July 30 at Sultan Park in Malé. But beyond the formalities, the bond between Sri Lankans and Maldivians is deeply rooted—and nothing about it feels artificial.

It’s rare to meet a Maldivian who hasn’t visited Sri Lanka. Even a local taxi driver might casually mention that he studied in Sri Lanka or was taught by a Sri Lankan teacher back home. Many Maldivian politicians have studied or trained in Sri Lanka, and some even speak fluent Sinhala.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed, before rising to prominence, once worked at The Island newspaper in Colombo—just one of many reminders of how interconnected the two countries are.

Historically, the Maldives was a Buddhist Kingdom before embracing Islam. Yet, through all these transitions, the cultural understanding and long-standing ties between the two nations have remained unshaken.

On the other hand, Sri Lankans form a visible part of the Maldivian workforce. From the construction sector to hospitality, and even sales staff in shops—Sri Lankans play a vital role in keeping key sectors of the Maldivian economy moving.

During President Dissanayake’s   State visit, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed—many of which are seen as advantageous to the Maldivian side.

On 28 July, President Dissanayake held bilateral discussions with Maldivian President Dr. Muizzu at the Presidential Office in Malé. He was warmly welcomed upon arrival, and after signing the official guest book, both leaders posed for a formal photograph before beginning official talks.

A significant MoUs signed

A number of significant agreements were exchanged following the meeting. These included an MoU between the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives (FOSIM) and Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike Diplomatic Training Institute, as well as a separate agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. These deals are expected to enhance bilateral cooperation, especially in legal and diplomatic areas. While the legal assistance agreement focuses on collaboration in criminal justice, the MoU between the diplomatic institutes paves the way for training exchanges and shared expertise between the two countries.

Maldivian travelers heading overseas via Sri Lankan airports are already subject to close monitoring and thorough screening when entering Sri Lanka. This precaution stems from earlier concerns about Islamic fundamentalists crossing borders, which had been previously highlighted.

In a welcome gesture tied to the visit, the Maldivian Government announced a new visa arrangement for Sri Lankans: a free 90-day on-arrival visa for tourism, effective 29 July 2025. To qualify, travelers must present a valid passport and proof of sufficient funds. This visa policy has been granted under the existing bilateral agreement and is aligned with Maldivian immigration regulations.

President Dissanayake also took the opportunity to give a subtle push for the NPP brand while addressing the Sri Lankan business community living in the Maldives. The event was jointly organised by the Sri Lankan High Commission in the Maldives and the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Commending the Maldives for its successful tourism strategies, the President emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in developing the tourism industry across the Indian Ocean region. With Sri Lanka expecting 3 million tourist arrivals in 2025, he highlighted the strong potential for Maldivian investors to engage in new hotel ventures.

The President also outlined the mutual benefits of enhanced cooperation in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, and agro-processing. Long-term investment opportunities were discussed in areas including maritime logistics, urban development projects, and luxury housing. He assured the audience that Sri Lanka is in the process of introducing essential legal reforms to protect investor rights and foster a more investment-friendly environment.

The forum also spotlighted the Colombo Port City, which the President described as a future hub for finance, healthcare, education, and innovation, offering tremendous potential as a modern financial and business centre. He also acknowledged that during the last presidential and general elections, Sri Lankan expatriates living in the Maldives played a significant role by supporting the political change that was needed to transform Sri Lanka.

He spoke about several measures the Government has taken to curb corruption and criminal activity, noting that even the head of the Prison Department has been arrested. Officials from the Department of Motor Traffic and Customs have also been taken into custody. The Inspector General of Police is currently under arrest, and a large number of former police officers have been suspended. A former Navy Commander has also been arrested. These were individuals who once acted as though they were above the law, manipulating it to serve their own interests.

“Today, we are enforcing the law without regard for rank or status,” he said. “We are doing this to uphold the supremacy of the rule of law, which was a key expectation behind the mandate the people gave us.”

He stressed that the fraud and corruption that plagued Sri Lanka’s political leadership must be eradicated. “I can give you one guarantee: for the first time, we have established a government that will not steal a single cent of public money. We have completely stopped the bribery, corruption, and waste that once enveloped the political establishment.”

However, he acknowledged that the state machinery still runs on old habits. “I know there are people who don’t pay taxes to the Inland Revenue Department. We have a list of individuals who pose as wealthy, luxurious businessmen, yet have defaulted on payments to State banks,” he added.

Referring to the financial crisis, he said, “Since 2022, we became a country that had defaulted on its debt. But on 21 December, 2024, we reached an agreement with our creditor nations to begin repaying our debts starting from 2028. As of now, we are officially no longer a bankrupt country.”

He also announced that, in line with this progress, agreements have been made to gradually resume stalled projects. “Most notably, development projects supported by China, India, and Japan are expected to recommence before the end of this year. This marks the first step forward for a country that had come to a complete standstill.”

Insults on social media

However, like Sri Lanka, the Maldivians also fear losing the growth of the economy due to mismanagement by the current regime in the Maldives. There are critics who still bash the current Muizzu Government for not doing the right thing and for creating a trust deficit.

If that wasn’t enough, his own brother-in-law took to X.com and called the visiting guest, the Prime Minister of India, a terrorist. He said “Modi is an enemy of Islam, a terrorist who demolished the Babri Mosque and killed many Muslims, and that the Maldives shouldn’t welcome him or give him any dignity”. He later removed the post, to the embarrassment of his brother-in-law, the President. The post quickly caught the attention of Maldivian web journalists and was widely highlighted. Prime Minister Modi was in the Maldives, though he may have expanded his security detail as a ‘precaution’.

Similarly, President Dissanayake was not spared from criticism either. On X.com, a Maldivian homeland security official mocked the Sri Lankan President. Senior Political Director at Homeland Security, Fathimath Fifaath, wrote, “Lucky, you didn’t wear a sarong,” and later deleted the comment. She was taken for inquiry, later it was told.

Several top-level Maldivian officials have previously insulted foreign dignitaries, including one individual who was suspended after making a degrading remark about Prime Minister Modi. This growing trend of targeting visiting dignitaries appears to reflect deeper anger with the system and is often highly personal. The comment about President Dissanayake may have been a veiled jab at former Sri Lankan presidents who were known for wearing sarongs.

Insults aside, both countries had played their parts supporting President Muiz, at the end of the day.

The views expressed above belong to the author(s).