The High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Adam Maznavee Jaufer Sadiq, paid a courtesy call on Monday on H.E. Vice President Faisal Naseem. The meeting was held at the President's Office.
Speaking at the meeting, the Vice President emphasised the strong relations between the two countries and thanked the Sri Lankan government for continuous support for the Maldives. He also emphasised the strong bonds between the people of the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The Vice President and the High Commissioner also spoke about ways to further expand relations between the two countries, especially in investment and trade. The Vice President also expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government would consider easing visa arrangements for Maldivian students, which he noted would provide significant relief for Maldivian families residing in Sri Lanka.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included expanding the fisheries cooperation between the two countries and supporting Sri Lanka to alleviate its economic challenges. The Vice President and the High Commissioner also discussed the exchange of technical and professional expertise between the two countries.
At the meeting, the Vice President also underlined that one of the most cherished goals achieved at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) was the commitment to establish a "loss and damage" fund to compensate vulnerable developing countries for the losses and damages they face as a result of climate impacts. He also shed light on the efforts by the Maldives on global forums to raise awareness about the financial strain and climate vulnerabilities faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). He added that the fund would benefit the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and other climate-vulnerable countries.
The Maldives and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations in 1965.
