Sri Lanka remained resilient through fiscal discipline, structural reforms, strengthened governance and strong international support, despite facing several challenges during recent times, including global uncertainties and tensions, shifting trade conditions and the impact of severe weather, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya told the Sri Lanka Maldives Business Forum held in Colombo on May 5.
“We are steadily building a much stronger and more stable economic footing with a clear and promising path ahead. Maldives is one of our closest and long-standing trade partners in the region, ”she said.
Dr Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka has a valuable opportunity to collaborate with Maldives further in the tourism industry. With Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings, increasing tourist arrivals and a renewed focus on sustainable and high-end tourism, there is a real value for Maldivian investors in expanding operations, creating joint ventures or establishing a presence across complementary tourism sectors, including medical tourism. Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is rebounding and recorded its highest ever number of tourist arrivals within a year in 2025, and this is despite Ditwa hitting Sri Lanka at the peak of the country’s tourist season.
The PM expressed optimism that these numbers will significantly increase in the coming years and expressed hope that despite the global tensions, the growth shown in 2025 will continue in this year as well. The Premier said the trade turnover of USD137 million in 2025 between Sri Lanka and Maldives remains far below its potential, and there is real opportunity to significantly expand the trade relationship.
There is also potential to develop joint ventures in sustainable aquaculture, mariculture and marine farming, through the exchange of industrial knowledge, technical capabilities and expertise. Sri Lanka’s human capital remains one of the most valuable assets. The Maldives has long been a valued destination for Sri Lankan professionals, with over 20,000 currently contributing to its workforce, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector, she said. The Premier said there is clearly significant scope for mutually beneficial cooperation especially in the areas of food and fisheries processing, the blue economy and renewable energy .
Source: Daily News
