Sri Lanka seeks investments from Maldives amid economic woes

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested Maldives to invest in the Sri Lankan economy, mainly in agriculture and tourism sectors.

Wickremesinghe made the request during a meeting with Maldivian Vice President Faisal Naseem, who called on him at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday.

During the meeting, Wickremesinghe highlighted on the long-standing friendship between Maldives and Sri Lanka, and invited Maldives to invest in the country’s agriculture sector, and cruise and high-end tourism sectors.

Wickremesinghe also requested the Maldives to join hands with Sri Lanka in establishing the climate change university.

Discussions during the meeting also focused on the growing threat of drug trafficking affecting the region.

Both Wickremesinghe and Faisal agreed to enhance cooperation in combatting drug trafficking.

According to the Sri Lankan press, Wickremesinghe told Faisal he intends to invite Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on an official visit to Sri Lanka once his residence, which was destroyed during the July protests, is rebuilt.

Sri Lanka, which was once a model for developing countries, is currently facing one of the most severe economic meltdowns to strike any nation in decades. Earlier this year, a widespread fuel and food crisis led to national protests that forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to temporarily flee the country, and later resign. The country has defaulted on its external debt, and has declared bankruptcy.