High Commissioner of Maldives to Sri Lanka, H.E Masood Imad met with the Secretary, Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Defence complex, Jayawardenapura Kotte.

            High Commissioner Masood congratulated the AVM (Retd) Thuyacontha on being appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence. High Commissioner Masood highlighted the invaluable assistance and strong support rendered to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) by the armed forces of Sri Lanka. H.E Masood Imad reiterated Maldives’ commitment to collaborate with Sri Lanka to address shared threat and challenges, especially in the maritime domain.

            High Commissioner Masood and Defence Secretary discussed the enduring and close bilateral and people to people relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. They noted the mutually beneficial economic contributions of the Maldivian community in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan community in the Maldives. High Commissioner Masood highlighted that unfortunately, the number of Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka has gone down significantly, one key factor being the challenges faced in obtaining residence visas. Defence Secretary assured that he will look into the matter, as having more Maldivians reside in Sri Lanka is a win-win situation for both countries.

            Defence Secretary noted the fraternal relation between the armed forces of both Sri Lanka and Maldives. He also highlighted the complexity of the current strategic environment and stressed the importance of working together towards regional peace and stability. Secretary Defence assured that Sri Lanka will continue to provide the necessary support and assistance to the MNDF.

            The Defence Advisor of Maldives to Sri Lanka, Colonel Hassan Amir conveyed felicitation to the Defence Secretary on behalf of the Honorable Minister of Defence, Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon, the Chief of Defence Force of MNDF and senior officials. Colonel Amir stated that the defence cooperation relationship between Maldives and Sri Lanka has significantly increased, and highlighted recent collaborations such as EX DOSTI, EX BLUE WHALE, the EOD training and the training of MNDF Special Forces. Colonel Amir also stated that MNDF is grateful for the training assistance from Sri Lanka Armed Forces, and MNDF would be keen to explore avenues to further enhance and strengthen the defence cooperation relationship.

High Commissioner Masood Imad paid a courtesy call on H.E Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, at the Office of the Prime Minister in Colombo.

High Commissioner congratulated Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on her appointment as the Prime Minister, and also conveyed greetings and felicitations from the President of the Maldives, H.E Dr. Muizzu and Foreign Minister, H.E Dr. Khaleel.

High Commissioner and Prime Minister recalled the close and historic bonds between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, as close neighbours and development partners, noting the civilisational and cultural links between the two countries.

High Commissioner Masood Imad highlighted the role of \i Lankan teachers and educators as the architects of modern education system in the Maldives, and in human resources development. He added that Sri Lanka continues to be a second home for many Maldivians, residing for education and medical purposes, as well as for Maldivians travelling for leisure. High Commissioner also noted the contribution of the Sri Lankan expatriate workers to the Maldives, especially in the tourism industry and the importance of the Sri Lankan banking sector in the Maldives.  High Commissioner Masood and Prime Minister Dr. Harini agreed that there is much scope to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya referred to the common challenges faced by island nations, and noted that there is much more work to be done together in areas such as climate change,  and sustainable development. Prime Minister Dr. Harini also expressed her appreciation  to the Government of Maldives for their support to Sri Lanka in the regional, international and multilateral  spheres.

High Commissioner Masood Imad and Prime Minister Dr. Harini  Amarasuriya ended the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to work together to further promote the bilateral and people to people relations between the two countries for mutual benefit.

High Commissioner Masood Imad participated at the meeting organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Colombo-based diplomatic corps. At the event, Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that on 23rd September 2024, following a transparent and peaceful electoral process, H.E. the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was sworn in as the 9th Executive President of Sri Lanka. On 24 September, according to the relevant constitutional procedures, H.E. the President dissolved the then Parliament, and the Parliamentary Election is scheduled to be held 14 November 2024. He highlighted that they are still going through a transition election period.

Until the conclusion of the Parliamentary Election, a Cabinet of three Ministers including H.E. the President is looking after 15 Ministries. While serving as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Herath himself is looking after five more Ministries. This is the reason why he has not been able to meet most of them individually – and hoped to make closer contact after the parliamentary election.

Foreign Minister Herath also briefed on important developments in the country. He shared that productive discussions were held with the visiting IMF team who reiterated their support to Sri Lanka. This government will work closely with the team on the next phase relating to the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and the related reform program. Sri Lanka has decided to apply for the membership of the BRICS and the New Development Bank. More details on : https://mfa.gov.lk/remark-by-hon-mfa/

In his interaction with the Foreign Minister, High Commissioner Masood congratulated Foreign Minister Herath on his appointment, and reiterated the close relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. High Commissioner assured full support of the Maldives to the new government of Sri Lanka.