Submitted by: Sarath Obeysekera

(In view of the State Visit of the President of Maldives – 04–05 May 2026)

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1. Introduction

The forthcoming State Visit of the President of the Maldives presents a timely opportunity to enhance bilateral economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Maldives, particularly in sectors where both countries possess complementary strengths.

Sri Lanka is strategically positioned to integrate into Maldives’ high-value tourism economy by offering diversified experiences, marine services, and logistical support.

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2. Key Proposal: Sri Lanka–Maldives Marine Tourism Corridor

2.1 Concept

Establish a premium yacht-based tourism corridor linking:

• Malé
• Galle
• Colombo

2.2 Rationale

• Maldives attracts high-end tourists primarily for beach and resort experiences.
• Sri Lanka offers complementary attractions including heritage, wildlife, wellness, and cultural tourism.
• Currently, there is no structured mechanism to connect these two destinations via marine tourism.

2.3 Proposed Initiative

Develop a Twin Destination Luxury Tourism Package”:

• Tourists visiting Maldives can extend their stay with a 3–5 day curated visit to Sri Lanka via yacht or short-haul travel.
• Packages to include:
  • Cultural visits to Sigiriya
  • Heritage experiences in Kandy
  • Wildlife safaris at Yala National Park
  • Coastal leisure at Galle Fort

3. Development of Galle as a Regional Marine Hub

3.1 Proposal

Encourage Maldivian investment in:

• Expansion of marina facilities at Galle Harbour
• Establishment of yacht repair and maintenance facilities
• Development of provisioning and bunkering services

3.2 Strategic Importance

• Sri Lanka can serve as a marine logistics and service hub
• Maldives can continue focusing on high-end resort tourism
• Creates a mutually beneficial ecosystem rather than competition

4. Facilitation Measures Required

To operationalize the above initiatives, the following policy support is recommended:

• Simplified immigration and customs clearance for private yachts
• Introduction of a fast-track or joint visa mechanism for tourists traveling between the two countries
• Duty concessions for marine fuel and yacht supplies
• Streamlined port entry procedures

5. Enhancing Sri Lankan Exports to Maldives

5.1 Opportunities

The Maldives is heavily import-dependent, presenting opportunities for Sri Lankan exports in:

• Processed food and agricultural products
• Construction materials and prefabricated structures
• Boat building and marine engineering services
• Wellness and Ayurvedic products

5.2 Challenges

• High logistics and freight costs
• Lack of dedicated supply chain systems

5.3 Recommendation

• Establish a dedicated Colombo–Malé shipping and logistics service
• Develop cold-chain logistics for perishable exports
• Explore preferential trade facilitation arrangements

6. Marine Skills and Workforce Collaboration

Proposal

• Develop bilateral training and certification programs in:
  • Yacht operations
  • Diving and marine tourism
  • Marine engineering

Outcome

• Address skilled labour shortages in Maldives
• Generate employment opportunities for Sri Lankan youth

7. Joint Tourism Branding Initiative

Concept: Two Nations – One Holiday”

Position Sri Lanka and Maldives as a combined destination:

• Maldives: Luxury and exclusivity
• Sri Lanka: Culture, nature, and diversity

Implementation

• Joint international marketing campaigns
• Airline partnerships
• Travel trade collaboration

8. Additional Observations

• Sri Lanka should avoid direct competition with Maldives in luxury island tourism
• Instead, Sri Lanka should position itself as a value-adding extension destination
• Marine tourism offers high foreign exchange earnings with relatively low environmental impact
• Galle has the potential to emerge as a key Indian Ocean yacht hub

Regards