Your Excellency Anura Kumara Disanayaka, President of the Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
Distinguished Members of the Sri Lankan Delegation,
Ministers,
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalaam Alaikum and a very good evening.
It gives me immense pleasure to welcome Your Excellency and your distinguished delegation to our beloved Maldives, on your first state visit to our country.
Your presence here tonight carries profound significance. We are honoured to receive you as we mark six decades of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
I sincerely hope your visit thus far has been pleasant and enriching, and that your stay among us will be both memorable and meaningful.
Your Excellency,
The Maldives and Sri Lanka are more than just neighbours. Ours is a relationship deeply rooted in history, in shared values, and in the close kinship of our peoples. It is a bond defined by trust, mutual respect, and enduring friendship.
For generations, Maldivians have looked to Sri Lanka not only as a partner, but as a second home — a sentiment echoed in countless personal and institutional ties that connect our societies.
The kindness, hospitality, and generosity of the Sri Lankan people leave a lasting impression on our people. It is a warmth that transcends borders.
Our two nations have long cooperated in vital areas — education, health, and human resource development. But over time, this partnership has grown, evolved, and diversified.
From the early days of trade in the dried fish once synonymous with our exchange — our economic and development ties have expanded into tourism, digital technology, security cooperation, and cultural exchange.
Today, our collaborative efforts span across economic and social domains, reflecting not only the dynamism of our bilateral ties but also our shared ambition to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
Your Excellency,
Earlier today, we had the opportunity for meaningful and productive discussions on a broad range of issues — both bilateral and multilateral. I am pleased that our governments continue to invest in institutional frameworks that will carry the cooperation between us into the future.
I am confident that, together, we can unlock untapped potential and expand opportunities for our peoples. Let us seize this momentum to work more closely in building inclusive prosperity, sustainable development, and regional stability.
I wish to reaffirm my Government’s commitment to working side-by-side with Sri Lanka in pursuit of our shared aspirations — to uplift lives, to strengthen peace and progress, and to foster a future built on solidarity and shared vision.
Your Excellency,
This evening as we are celebrating the enduring friendship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, allow me to extend to you my heartfelt wishes for your continued good health and happiness, and for the lasting peace, prosperity, and wellbeing of the people of Sri Lanka.
May the bonds of friendship between our nations continue to flourish like the coconut palms on our islands — rooted, resilient, and always reaching skyward.
Thank you.