Pres. Muizzu to visit Sri Lanka in May with cooperation in fisheries as primary focus

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is scheduled to undertake an official visit to neighboring Sri Lanka in May.

Sri Lankan authorities have stated that a primary objective of President Muizzu’s forthcoming visit is to strengthen bilateral relations in the fisheries sector and facilitate new investment opportunities.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources of Sri Lanka, comprehensive discussions are already underway to identify new avenues for collaboration between the fisheries industries of both countries. Sri Lankan officials emphasized that this initiative constitutes a significant step toward advancing economic cooperation to a higher level.

In preparation for President Muizzu’s visit, Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, held a high-level meeting with the Maldivian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Masood Imad, at the Parliament complex last Friday. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary to the Fisheries Minister B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa.

A central focus of the discussions was the establishment of a direct supply chain between the two countries. At present, several Sri Lankan products are imported into the Maldives through intermediaries in locations such as Dubai. Minister Chandrasekar noted that the creation of direct trade routes would generate substantial economic benefits for both nations by reducing costs and increasing profit margins.

Additionally, the discussions examined the potential introduction of a specialized training program to share the Maldives’ long-established expertise in pole-and-line fishing with Sri Lankan fishermen. High Commissioner Masood Imad observed that, while such a program would benefit Sri Lankan fishermen, it could also help address labor shortages currently affecting the Maldivian fishing industry.

With approximately 17,000 Sri Lankans presently employed in the Maldives, both parties concurred that expanding trade relations would be advantageous for their respective populations.

During discussions on integrating the fisheries sectors, both sides agreed on the importance of combining the Maldives’ supply of fresh fish with Sri Lanka’s developing canning industry to introduce new products to the market. There is mutual interest in processing fish in Sri Lanka to produce affordable, high-quality value-added products specifically intended for the Maldivian market.

Notably, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake undertook an official visit to the Maldives in July of last year.