The Government of Maldives and the Government of Sri Lanka have exchanged an agreement on the facilitation of visa arrangements, which will supersede the previous arrangement of 2008. The agreement was signed following the official talks between the two countries as part of the official visit of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Maldives.
Under this renewed agreement, free 90-day on-arrival visas for visitors between the two countries will continue to be provided. Nationals of either country wishing to conduct business and pursue investments can be granted multiple entry non-resident business visas, thereby facilitating commercial engagements and private sector collaboration.
Further, the agreement will also facilitate multiple entry visas for Maldivian students enrolled in Sri Lankan educational institutes and for their parents and legal guardians provided the students in question are under eighteen years of age.
Maldives and Sri Lanka also signed an agreement on cooperation in the area of social protection between the two countries to help promote cooperation between the two countries in terms of providing support to and protecting vulnerable members of society, including children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, an agreement was signed on higher education under which Maldives and Sri Lanka will pursue expanding education opportunities for students of both countries, whilst also sharing knowledge and expertise pertinent to the water sector.
Meanwhile, an agreement was signed on vocational training and youth development which will increase knowledge and experience sharing pertinent to helping youth develop their social and leadership skills. The agreement will also facilitate cultural exchanges between the students of both countries and facilitate training for the academics of both countries.