The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Pays A Courtesy Visit To The Vice President

On Monday, The High Commissioner of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Adam Maznavee Jaufer Sadiq has paid a courtesy visit to the Vice President of the Maldives, His Excellency Faisal Naseem. The meeting took place at the President’s Office on Monday, November 21, 2022.

During the meeting, the Vice President reflected on the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed his gratitude to the High Commissioner for the continuous support provided by the Government of Sri Lanka to the Maldives. In this regard, the Vice President highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between the citizens of the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

At the meeting, the High Commissioner and the Vice President spoke on ways to further enhance relations between the two countries, particularly in investment and trade. On this note, the Vice President expressed hope that the Sri Lankan Government ease visa arrangements for Maldivian students studying in the country which would bring immense relief to Maldivian families residing in Sri Lanka.

They ventured on other topics such as expanding cooperating in fisheries and supporting Sri Lanka to alleviate the economic crisis faced in the country. Moreover, the Vice President and High Commissioner also discussed the potential of technical and professional expertise exchange between the two countries.

The Vice President also emphasized on the commitment to establish a ‘loss and damage’ fund realized at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). He further elaborated on this by stating that the fund would help developing countries to compensate for the losses and damages faced by climate change. In this manner, he mentioned the vital role played by Maldives on international forums to raise awareness about the financial strain and climate vulnerabilities endured by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). He added that the establishment of the fund would help the Maldives, Sri Lanka and other climate-vulnerable countries tremendously.

The Maldives and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations in 1965, the year of independence for the Maldives