Iruthisham Adam
Minister of Foreign Affairs
COLOMBO : As the Republic of Maldives proudly marks the 61st anniversary of its independence, I extend my warm greetings and heartfelt felicitations to all Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka.
This joyous occasion offers an opportunity not only to celebrate our journey as an independent nation, but also to reflect on the enduring bonds of friendship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. As our two countries commemorate 61 years of formal diplomatic relations, we also acknowledge with deep appreciation Sri Lanka’s steadfast friendship and the invaluable support it extended to the Maldives during the formative years of our independence. Yet, our relationship reaches far beyond six decades of diplomatic engagement. It is rooted in centuries of shared maritime heritage, vibrant trade, cultural exchanges, and enduring people-to-people ties that have shaped a partnership founded on mutual trust, respect, and goodwill.
Since gaining independence in 1965, the Maldives has achieved remarkable progress through the resilience and determination of its people, supported by the friendship and cooperation of valued partners. Throughout this journey, Sri Lanka has remained one of our closest and most trusted neighbours. Today, our partnership continues to expand across a broad range of areas, including trade, tourism, health, education, fisheries, youth and sports, defence, human resource development, and regional cooperation.
The Maldives deeply values Sri Lanka’s continued friendship, goodwill, and collaboration, as well as our close cooperation in regional and international forums. As neighbouring nations united by the Indian Ocean and bound by a shared vision for the future, we remain committed to further strengthening our partnership and working together to advance peace, stability, and sustainable prosperity for our peoples and for the wider region.
On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Maldives, I convey my sincere appreciation to the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for their enduring friendship and unwavering support. May the historic bonds between our two nations continue to flourish, and may our partnership grow ever stronger in the years to come.
Iruthisham Adam
Minister of Foreign Affairs
