Lanka’s new leader commits to fostering historical ties with Maldives

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who took oath as the new Sri Lankan president on Monday, has expressed keenness to fostering the historical ties between Maldives and Sri Lanka.

He made the remark in a post on X in response to a congratulatory message by Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

“Thank you, President @MMuizzu for sending your good wishes. I will be glad to work with you in fostering historical ties between our two nations and also for the cooperation in the region,” he said, in a post on Monday afternoon.

In his message on Sunday, President Muizzu congratulated President Dissanayake on his remarkable victory in the Sri Lankan elections.

“I am eager to work with you to further strengthen the historic friendship between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Wishing you immense success in your new role,” he added.

Dissanayake, the 55-year-old leader of the People’s Liberation Front (JVP) party and the National People’s Power (NPP) alliance, won the election with 42.31 percent of the vote.

He took his oath at the Presidential Secretariat building in Colombo on Monday morning.

Dissanayake ran for office on a promise to tackle corruption and clean up politics in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Sunday’s election was the first since mass protests forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa from office amid an economic collapse in 2022.

After taking his oath as the new Sri Lankan president, Dissanayake said he understood the complexity of the problems facing Sri Lanka and would work hard to realize people’s hopes and win the confidence of all Sri Lankans.

“I will do my best to fully restore the people’s confidence in politicians,” he said.

“I am not a conjurer, I am not a magician,” he added. “There are things I know and things I don’t know, but I will seek the best advice and do my best. For that, I need the support of everyone.”

Maldives established official diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka in 1965 following its independence. The two island nations enjoy close cultural, social and economic ties.