Sri Lanka – Maldives Bilateral Relations

Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives established diplomatic relations on 26 July 1965, the day on which the Maldives obtained independence from the United Kingdom. The year 2025 also commemorated the 60 years since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

As close neighbors and island nations we share many affinities. The two countries have been enriched by our association with the ancient Silk Route and shared histories and geography. Relations between the peoples of the two countries date back to the ancient past, long before independence from colonial domination. There is a belief that the early settlers of the Maldives had in fact come from the island of Sri Lanka. Strong similarities in our language, culture and customs bear testimony to the close connections the peoples of the two countries have shared from ancient times. The present interaction and relations between government-to-government and people-to-people have become very cordial and warm. This fraternity is further enriched by frequent high level visits between the two countries.

As island nations, the degradation of the environment and drastic global climatic change pose a fundamental challenge, albeit to different degrees, to the respective societies. The two countries share a vision to develop our economies giving appropriate priority to the social development of our peoples. Sri Lanka and the Maldives share the same high rates of literacy and good basic health indicators giving the two countries a special position in the region.