Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, H.E. Masood Imad, paid a courtesy call on the Governor of the Western Province, Hon. Hanif Yusoof at the Western Province Provincial Council.
Highlighting the longstanding friendship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, he noted that Sri Lanka is not only the Maldives’ closest neighbor but also a second home to many Maldivians—including himself, having spent several years in the country.
He praised the warmth and hospitality of the Sri Lankan people, the natural beauty of the country, and the deep-rooted cultural and historical ties that bind the two nations. The High Commissioner pointed out that the majority of the Maldivian community in Sri Lanka resides in the Colombo area and the Western Province.
Reflecting on the strong development partnership between the two nations, High Commissioner Imad emphasized the contributions of both the Sri Lankan government and its expatriate community in the Maldives across key sectors such as education, health, defense, and trade. He also acknowledged the pivotal role Sri Lankan teachers played in establishing English-medium education in the Maldives.
The two officials discussed opportunities to expand trade and investment cooperation. The High Commissioner shared the Maldives’ interest in establishing a showroom for MIFCO (Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company) products in Sri Lanka. However, he noted that the temporary ban on canned fish imports posed a challenge, as canned tuna is MIFCO’s main product. An alternative under consideration involves importing raw tuna to be processed in underutilized Sri Lankan factories—a more complex venture requiring logistical coordination. The Governor responded positively, stating that Sri Lanka should consider offering special concessions to the Maldives, in recognition of the strong bilateral ties and the Maldives' socioeconomic contributions to Sri Lanka.
Governor Yusoof also recalled his time working in the Maldives during the 1980s, praising the hospitality, especially the openness and transparency of Maldivians in business.
On the diplomatic front, High Commissioner Imad referred to the successful visit of President Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the Maldives in July and noted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is expected to visit Sri Lanka at mutual convenience of the two leaders. Several important bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during the upcoming visit.
Addressing the Maldivian diaspora, the High Commissioner noted a significant drop in the number of Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka—from 15,000–20,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic, to around 2,000 today—primarily due to visa challenges. In contrast, he pointed out that approximately 32,500 Sri Lankans live and work in the Maldives, with remittances totaling US$128 million in 2023—placing the Maldives ninth among top remittance sources to Sri Lanka.
Governor Yusoof acknowledged the economic impact of Maldivians in Sri Lanka and said his office had been in discussions with relevant authorities to ease visa processes. He emphasized the importance of making Sri Lanka an attractive second home for Maldivians, noting their contributions in areas such as real estate, education, healthcare, employment, and investment.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting greater connectivity between the people of the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
