Sri Lanka appeals to allow workers in Maldives to use LKR, MVR for cross-border transactions

Sri Lanka has requested Maldives to consider the possibility of using the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) and Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) for cross-border transactions by Sri Lankan workers in the Maldives.

The appeal was made during bilateral talks held between Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Kahleel and his Sri Lankan counterpart Vijitha Herath on Wednesday as part of Khaleel’s ongoing official visit to Sri Lanka.

In a statement to the media following the meeting, Herath said he extended gratitude to Maldives’ for its commitment in providing employment opportunities for Sri Lankans while expressing hope to identify the ways and means to diversify the employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in Maldives. 

He also said an appeal was for Maldives to consider the possibility of using the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) and Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) for cross-border transactions by Sri Lankan workers in the Maldives.

Discussion between the two ministers also centered around a wide range of topics including tourism.

According to Herath, discussions were held on mutual cooperation to attract more tourists to both countries respectively, and in this trajectory, agreed to build partnerships through investments in the tourism and leisure sector and strengthening cooperation in mutually beneficial areas.

“Tourism is a key economic driver for both our nations, and Sri Lanka plays a significant role in providing skilled professionals and tourism services to Maldives. We discussed matters of mutual cooperation to attract more tourists to our countries, also keeping in mind Sri Lanka’s target of 3 million tourist arrivals this year. We agreed to build partnerships through investments in the tourism and leisure sector and strengthening cooperation in mutually beneficial areas,” he said.

Apart from this, discussions were also held exploring further collaboration in areas of education, trade and investment, environment and climate change, fisheries, youth empowerment, vocational training and consular issues. 

Maldivian Foreign Ministry states Khaleel expressed heartfelt gratitude for the continuous support provided by the government of Sri Lanka towards the socio-economic and human resource development of the Maldives. 

The Ministry noted that Khaleel invited his counterpart to visit the Maldives at mutual convenience.