by Our Diplomatic Affairs Editor
The Maldives has officially been removed from Sri Lanka’s “country of security concern” (CSC) list, marking a pivotal moment in bilateral relations between the two island nations. The move follows Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent state visit to Malé, which has already been hailed by both sides as a turning point in restoring trust, mobility, and regional cooperation.
The delisting was confirmed by reliable sources within senior political circles in the Maldivian capital, who spoke to the Sri Lanka Guardian. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated unequivocally, “We have been removed and Maldives is no longer a listed country.” The same source further noted that the outcome was the result of sustained diplomatic efforts by the Maldivian government over several years, and that President Dissanayake’s visit played a decisive role in securing this long-awaited correction.
The CSC designation, which was quietly imposed by Sri Lankan authorities following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in 2019, had long been a source of quiet frustration for Malé. Although originally intended as a broad national security measure, its continued application to Maldivian nationals created significant friction in bilateral relations. Maldivians, who have traditionally viewed Sri Lanka as a second home for education, medical treatment, business, and retirement, found themselves subject to increasingly rigid visa regimes, lengthy vetting processes, and administrative opacity. These restrictions led to a dramatic decline in the number of Maldivians living in Sri Lanka, from an estimated 10,000 residents before 2019 to fewer than 1,500 today.
The effects of the CSC status extended beyond bureaucratic inconvenience. It began to reshape perceptions of Sri Lanka within the Maldivian public, redirecting interest and engagement towards alternative destinations such as India and Malaysia. Many former residents and frequent visitors expressed disillusionment with what they saw as an erosion of the historical warmth and openness that had characterised Sri Lanka–Maldives ties for decades. Analysts had warned that the policy risked undermining Colombo’s regional standing by alienating one of its closest and most historically intertwined neighbours.
President Dissanayake’s intervention during his visit appears to have decisively changed that trajectory. The removal of the Maldives from the CSC list has now paved the way for the restoration of normalised mobility, which was immediately reciprocated by Malé with a gesture of goodwill: Sri Lankan nationals arriving in the Maldives will now receive a 90-day visa on arrival. Maldivian officials confirmed that this agreement was finalised during the President’s trip and viewed it as an important symbol of mutual respect and forward momentum.
The two countries have long enjoyed deep civilisational, economic, and socio-cultural ties, dating back centuries. From early religious and linguistic exchanges to the more modern interdependencies shaped by trade, education, tourism, and labour mobility, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have operated in tandem across multiple domains. During the Maldives’ early post-independence years, Sri Lanka served as its most accessible and reliable external partner. In return, Sri Lankan businesses and workers found abundant opportunities in the Maldives’ growing tourism economy—where over 27,000 Sri Lankans are currently employed and at least 16 resorts are owned or managed by Sri Lankan firms.
The CSC policy, introduced without public explanation or consultation, threatened to unravel much of this shared history. The lack of transparency around its criteria, combined with a growing reliance on informal intermediaries to navigate its requirements, introduced not only bureaucratic inefficiency but also opportunities for corruption and exploitation. Maldivians seeking visas for medical treatment, education, or family reunification were often left at the mercy of opaque processes and unregulated private agents, weakening the credibility of Sri Lanka’s immigration institutions.
With the policy now reversed, both sides appear committed to re-establishing the conditions necessary for sustained people-to-people ties and broader strategic cooperation. The positive atmosphere surrounding President Dissanayake’s visit has revived discussions about expanding bilateral engagement in areas such as tourism, higher education, environmental protection, maritime security, and regional trade. The hope among observers is that this shift signals not just a policy correction, but a renewed vision for how two small states, bound by history and geography, can work together to strengthen their positions in an increasingly contested Indian Ocean region.
