The Maldives and Sri Lanka have signed seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at expanding cooperation across key sectors, during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing State Visit to Sri Lanka.

The agreements were exchanged during a formal ceremony held in the presence of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as part of the President’s visit from 3 to 6 of this month, undertaken at the invitation of the Sri Lankan leader.

The seven MoUs cover a wide range of areas aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two neighbouring Indian Ocean nations.

The agreements include:

- MoU on cooperation in the field of tourism, signed by Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel’s representative Irthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath.

- MoU on cooperation in the field of archives, also signed by Irthisham Adam and Vijitha Herath.

- MoU on sports and youth development, signed by Irthisham Adam and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage.

- MoU on teacher training and the professional development of school leaders, signed by Irthisham Adam and Vijitha Herath.

- MoU on strengthening defence cooperation, signed by Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Masood Imad and Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry Secretary, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha.

- MoU on defence education, training and research, signed by High Commissioner Masood Imad and Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Rear Admiral H.G.U. Dammika Kumara.

- MoU on facilitating higher education opportunities, signed by High Commissioner Masood Imad and Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Professor Indika Mahesh Karunathilake.

Following the signing ceremony, both Presidents issued a joint statement reaffirming the strong and evolving partnership between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

They expressed commitment to further expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest and strengthening bilateral ties.