'The Ocean Unites Us, It Does Not Divide Us' - Muizzu at State Dinner In Colombo

COLOMBO (News 1st); Describing the Indian Ocean as a force that unites rather than divides Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu last night delivered an emotive reflection on the centuries-old friendship between the two island nations, calling it a bond built on trust, humanity and shared destiny.

President Muizzu made these remarks at a special state dinner hosted in his honour by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Mansion in Colombo Fort yesterday (04). The banquet was held as part of President Muizzu’s official state visit to Sri Lanka, undertaken at the invitation of the Sri Lankan President.

Addressing the gathering, President Muizzu said it was a great pleasure to visit Sri Lanka, which he described as a long-standing partner in Maldivian history. He noted that the occasion was not merely a diplomatic celebration, but a commemoration of a friendship that flows gently and deeply, much like the vast ocean linking the two island states.

He said that for centuries, the sea waves travelling between the shores of Sri Lanka and the Maldives had carried far more than trade and travellers. Those interactions, he said, brought trust, affection and the shared rhythm of two nations that learned to live together through cooperation rather than competition. These humble, sincere and enduring human connections, he added, are like a golden thread that binds the two countries together.

President Muizzu noted that the friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives is founded on genuine respect, enabling it to withstand the challenges imposed by time. He recalled that in every era, Sri Lanka had extended a steady hand of friendship to the Maldives, and said the Maldivian people remain deeply grateful for the support Sri Lanka has provided in shaping the foundations and nurturing the progress of the Maldivian state.

Emphasising regional solidarity, President Muizzu said the ocean does not separate Sri Lanka and the Maldives, but brings them together. He stated that this unity is the greatest strength the two countries possess in ensuring that the Indian Ocean remains a sea of peace, stability and opportunity for all.

Referring to present-day global challenges, the Maldivian President said climate change is an issue facing the entire world, and stressed that small nations must raise a united voice for climate justice and for their right to survive and prosper. He called on Sri Lanka and the Maldives to join hands in innovation, resilience and global advocacy, transforming the risks they face into shared strength. He added that it is the people of both countries who give true meaning to their diplomatic relations.