The Embassy of the Maldives in Sri Lanka was opened the same day.2 Sri Lanka has an embassy in Malé. The Maldives and Sri Lanka in the context of regional powersThe Maldives-Sri Lanka relationship should also be considered in the context of great power competition in the Indian Ocean. Despite the trade deficit, this relationship is also important to the Maldives as Sri Lanka is the second largest market for Maldivian exports. Consequently, Maldivians and Sri Lanka can develop a better understanding of each other’s business culture, language and markets, which would also ease business relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Building on the long history of organic trade and commerce between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka and the Maldives should focus on its comparative advantages – Sri Lanka should focus on exports to the Maldives, as well as policy to undercut India’s medical tourism.

Source: The Nation February 04, 2019 18:33 UTC