Sri Lanka and Maldives Urged to Explore Free Movement Agreement Amid Visa Frictions
Colombo — Recent diplomatic exchanges between Sri Lanka and the Maldives have revived debate over whether the two Indian Ocean neighbours should move beyond ad hoc visa arrangements and consider a structured free movement or facilitated mobility agreement to strengthen people-to-people ties, labour mobility, and bilateral economic integration.
The discussion gained renewed attention following remarks by the Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Masood Imad, who publicly highlighted growing difficulties faced by Maldivian nationals in obtaining Sri Lankan visas under the current immigration framework. According to diplomatic sources, the High Commissioner expressed concern that recent procedural changes under Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration Act have resulted in longer processing times and uncertainty for Maldivian visitors, students, and business travellers.
Sri Lankan officials, while acknowledging the concerns, have pointed out that visa-related grievances are not one-sided. Several Sri Lankan nationals traveling to the Maldives have also raised complaints regarding entry procedures, the inconsistent application of immigration rules, and a lack of clear grievance mechanisms.
Complaints on Both Sides
Among the cases frequently cited in policy discussions is that of a prominent Sri Lankan academic who reportedly encountered serious difficulties while travelling through Maldivian immigration channels several years ago. The individual is said to have formally complained to multiple authorities and even initiated legal proceedings in the United Kingdom against the Maldivian state before later withdrawing the case, citing personal reasons.
While neither government has officially commented on the specifics of that incident, analysts note that such disputes underscore systemic weaknesses, rather than isolated misconduct. “These are precisely the types of issues that arise when labour mobility and travel are managed through rigid, discretionary visa regimes instead of transparent, treaty-based frameworks,” said a Colombo-based regional policy expert.
A Case for Structured Mobility
Sri Lanka and the Maldives share deep historical, cultural, and economic connections. Thousands of Sri Lankan nationals are employed in the Maldives, particularly in tourism, hospitality, construction, education, and healthcare. Sri Lankan professionals have long played a critical role in sustaining the Maldivian tourism industry, which remains the backbone of its economy.
At the same time, Maldivian students, patients, and businesspersons regularly travel to Sri Lanka for education, medical treatment, trade, and investment opportunities.
Despite this interdependence, movement between the two countries remains governed by short-term visas, discretionary approvals, and frequently changing administrative rules, leaving workers and businesses vulnerable to delays and uncertainty.
Policy experts argue that a bilateral free movement agreement or a highly liberalised mobility framework—short of full open borders—could address many of these challenges.
Lessons from Other Regions
Comparable regional models already exist. The European Union’s freedom of movement regime and ASEAN’s gradual facilitation of skilled labour mobility demonstrate how structured people-to-people connectivity can deepen economic integration without undermining national sovereignty.
“Even a limited agreement covering skilled workers, professionals, students, and frequent business travellers would be transformative,” said a former Sri Lankan diplomat. “It would reduce bureaucratic friction, curb informal practices, and create predictability for both citizens and investors.”
Such an agreement could be complemented by a customs cooperation framework or preferential trade arrangement, allowing Maldivian businesses to expand their commercial footprint in Sri Lanka while enabling Sri Lankan firms to invest more easily in Maldivian infrastructure, tourism services, logistics, and food supply chains.
Economic and Strategic Rationale
For the Maldives, deeper integration with Sri Lanka would help diversify its economic partnerships and reduce overreliance on a narrow set of external markets. For Sri Lanka, it would provide new avenues for exports, services, and outward investment at a time when the country is seeking regional growth opportunities amid ongoing economic recovery.
The argument for closer cooperation has also been strengthened by recent humanitarian gestures. Following severe flooding linked to Cyclone Ditwa the Maldivian government and the people extended financial assistance to Sri Lanka, a move widely welcomed in Colombo as a demonstration of regional solidarity and goodwill.
“That spirit of friendship should now be translated into long-term institutional arrangements,” said an economist specialising in South Asian regional integration.
Moving Beyond Visa Disputes
Observers caution that continued public exchanges over visa delays risk overshadowing the broader strategic relationship. “Complaining about visa procedures treats the symptom, not the disease,” one analyst noted. “The underlying problem is the absence of a modern mobility framework that reflects the realities of how interconnected these two economies already are.”
Both governments are reportedly exploring options to streamline visa processes, but experts argue that incremental administrative fixes will not be sufficient. A formal agreement—negotiated transparently and with safeguards—could reduce opportunities for abuse, protect workers’ rights, and enhance mutual trust.
The Road Ahead
Any move toward freer movement would require careful negotiation, legal harmonisation, and public consultation in both countries. Concerns around labour market impact, security, and regulatory oversight would need to be addressed through phased implementation and clear eligibility criteria.
Nevertheless, the consensus among regional policy observers is growing: Sri Lanka and the Maldives are already economically intertwined; their legal and Economical frameworks have simply failed to catch up.
As both nations look to strengthen regional partnerships and economic resilience, a structured approach to mobility and trade may offer a more constructive path forward than continued friction over visas—one that reflects their shared history, mutual dependence, and common future in the Indian Ocean region.