The High Commission

The High Commission of the Republic of Maldives in Sri Lanka is the Maldives’ oldest diplomatic mission abroad and serves as the principal channel for promoting and strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Located in Colombo, the mission traces its origins to the Maldives Representative Office, which was established on 4 March 1934, making it one of the earliest overseas representations of the Maldives.

The Maldives Representative Office in Colombo was inaugurated on 4 March 1934. The first Maldivian Representative to Sri Lanka was His Excellency Mr. Abdul Hameed Didi, who was appointed on the same date. He was succeeded by H.E. Mr. Hussain Hilmy Didi on 25 March 1943, H.E. Mr. Hassan Fareed Didi who served from 26 March 1943 to 31 March 1944, H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Ali Didi who served from 4 November 1945 to 31 December 1951, and H.E. Mr. Mohamed Amin Didi who was appointed on 5 September 1950.

In 1954, the Representative Office was elevated to the status of an Embassy, and H.E. Mr. Mohamed Zaki was appointed as the first Ambassador of the Maldives to Sri Lanka. He served from 11 March 1954 to 7 May 1955. Other representatives and ambassadors who served during this period included H.E. Mr. Ahmed Hilmy Didi, who served as Acting Representative from 31 December 1951 to 31 December 1952, as Representative from 31 December 1952 to 1 September 1953, and later as Ambassador from 11 September 1967 to 28 April 1971. H.E. Mr. Ahmed Zaki served as Representative from 26 March 1956 to 14 April 1959, followed by H.E. Mr. Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi, who served as Representative from 18 August 1960 to 11 September 1967. H.E. Mr. Hussain Ali Didi subsequently served as Ambassador from 29 April 1971 to 20 March 1976.

The Embassy ceased operations in 1976 and was re-opened in 1979. Following the reopening of the mission, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Abdulla was appointed as Counsellor on 11 November 1979 and later served as Minister Counsellor from 29 April 1984 to 15 November 1986. In 1985, the Embassy was redesignated as the High Commission of the Republic of Maldives in Sri Lanka. On 15 November 1986, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Abdulla became the first High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka and served until 11 November 1993.

He was succeeded by H.E. Mr. Abdul Azeez Yoosuf, who served as Counsellor from 25 November 1993 to 27 February 1995 and was later appointed High Commissioner on 27 November 1995. He served until 9 October 2002 and remains the longest-serving Maldivian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka. H.E. Ms. Raashida Yoosuf was appointed High Commissioner on 9 October 2002, followed by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Asim, who served from December 2004 to December 2007. H.E. Mr. Ali Hussain Didi served from January 2008 to December 2010, followed by H.E. Mr. Hussain Shihab, who served from December 2010 to March 2014. H.E. Ms. Zahiya Zareer served as High Commissioner from 19 May 2014 to 13 August 2017. She was succeeded by H.E. Mr. Mohamed Hussain Shareef, who served as Ambassador from 23 October 2017 to 16 November 2018. H.E. Mr. Omar Abdul Razzak served as Ambassador from January 2019 until March 2020 and subsequently as High Commissioner from March 2020 to May 2022. H.E. Mr. Ali Faiz served as High Commissioner from February 2023 to October 2023. The incumbent High Commissioner, H.E. Mr. Masood Imad, assumed office in November 2023 and continues to work towards further strengthening the close partnership between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The High Commission serves as the official diplomatic channel between the Governments of the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Since its establishment, it has played a vital role in fostering the longstanding friendship and cooperation that have existed between the two countries for generations. Beyond government-to-government engagement, the High Commission maintains close collaboration with Sri Lankan institutions, organisations, and stakeholders to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, education, health, tourism, investment, defence, and people-to-people exchanges.

A notable milestone in the history of Maldivian commercial engagement in Sri Lanka was the opening of the first showroom for Maldivian products on 21 July 1952 by the then Minister of Trade and Commerce of Ceylon, Hon. H. W. Amarasuriya. This initiative reflected the close economic ties that have long existed between the two countries.

The High Commission provides a wide range of consular services and assistance to Maldivian citizens residing in or visiting Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has long been regarded as a second home for many Maldivians, particularly those pursuing education, seeking medical treatment, conducting business, or travelling for leisure. Services provided by the High Commission include passport issuance and renewal, emergency travel documents, assistance with residence and visa matters, national identity card processing and renewal, attestation and certification of documents, registration of births, marriages and deaths, and assistance to Maldivian nationals and Government officials seeking visas from foreign diplomatic missions based in Colombo.

In addition, the High Commission facilitates engagement with the numerous foreign diplomatic missions accredited to the Maldives and resident in Colombo, making Sri Lanka an important diplomatic hub for the Maldives. The High Commission also plays a significant role in promoting and enhancing defence cooperation between the Maldives and Sri Lanka through close collaboration with Sri Lankan defence authorities and defence advisers of foreign missions based in Colombo.

The Maldives and Sri Lanka enjoy one of the closest and longest-standing bilateral relationships in the Indian Ocean region. Built upon historical ties, geographical proximity, cultural affinities, and strong people-to-people connections, the relationship continues to flourish across a broad range of sectors. In 2026, the Maldives and Sri Lanka commemorate the 61st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, marking over six decades of enduring friendship, cooperation, and partnership between the two countries.