Sri Lankan government is offering long-term land leases to Maldivians interested in investing in the country, following the recent state visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka to the Maldives.

According High Commissioner of Maldives to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, Sri Lanka aims to attract more Maldivian investment by facilitating easier access to land for business ventures. Although Maldivian presence in Sri Lanka’s private sector remains limited, the initiative signals a shift toward increased collaboration in trade and enterprise between the two countries.

The Sri Lankan President’s visit included a joint business forum where investment opportunities across various sectors were presented to Maldivian stakeholders. The two countries also signed bilateral agreements, with further discussions underway to finalise nearly 30 additional cooperation pacts.

Alongside investment opportunities, discussions were held on improving financial accessibility for Maldivian investors through Sri Lankan banks, as well as enabling the operation of healthcare facilities run by Maldivians in Sri Lanka. The Maldives Embassy is expected to support these efforts by guiding interested investors through regulatory processes.

The visit followed with that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also held talks with the Maldivian Government, focusing on economic collaboration. As part of the outcomes, India pledged a USD 565 million line of credit to support development projects in health, education, and housing. Agreements were signed to expand cooperation, and existing debt conditions were eased to provide greater flexibility to the Maldives.

Both visits were seen as pivotal in strengthening the Maldives’ diplomatic and economic relations with its regional partners, with the potential to generate long-term benefits for Maldivian businesses and the national economy.