Maldives and Sri Lanka to boost longstanding relations

The Maldives and Sri Lanka will look to boost the longstanding political, economic, sports and cultural relations between the two countries.

High Commissioner Mohamed Rizvi Hassen presented his Letters of Credence to the President of the Republic of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a ceremonial event held at the President’s Office.

Prior to the Presentation of Credentials, the High Commissioner was escorted to the President’s Office from the Republic Square in a traditional cultural procession called ‘Haiykolhu,’ accompanied by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Drum and Trumpet Band.

High Commissioner Mohamed Rizvi Hassen conveyed greetings of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka to President Dr.  Mohamed Muizzu recalling the historic and brotherly relations between Sri Lanka and Maldives.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu congratulated the High Commissioner on his appointment and highlighted the close bilateral relations between the two nations. The discussion also focused on enhancing the longstanding political, economic, sports and cultural relations between the two countries among other areas of collaboration.

The High Commissioner was accompanied by the First Secretary Thimuthu Dissanayake and Second Secretary Sujitha Gunathilaka of the High Commission.

High Commissioner Hassen joined Sri Lanka Foreign Service in 2000 and served as the Director General of Overseas Asset Management & Development Division and Ocean Affairs, Environment & Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism immediately prior to his appointment in Malé.

His previous diplomatic posts include Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Türkiye with concurrent accreditation to Ukraine and Georgia; Minister, High Commission of Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur; Counsellor, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington; First Secretary, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Stockholm.

He is a graduate of the University of Colombo and Buckinghamshire New University, UK and is a past pupil of Carey College, Colombo.