Government Launches Passport and ID Services for Maldivians in Sri Lanka

The Maldivian government has launched the issuance of national identity cards and passports for Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka from today.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu launched the services during his ongoing State Visit to Sri Lanka, while visiting the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo alongside First Lady Sajidha Mohamed.

advertisement

Upon arrival at the High Commission, the President and First Lady were welcomed by Maldivian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Masood Imad. The President signed the visitors’ book and met staff at the mission.

Following the launch, the President handed over the first passport issued under the new service to a Maldivian citizen residing in Sri Lanka.

The government said the initiative forms part of efforts to expand access to identity and passport services in countries with significant Maldivian populations or frequent travel links. Sri Lanka becomes the second country outside the Maldives to offer both ID card and passport services, following the earlier introduction of ID card services in Malaysia.

Authorities noted that similar services have already been established across all atolls in the Maldives, allowing citizens to access documentation services nationwide.

Sri Lanka hosts a large Maldivian community, and the new arrangement is expected to reduce the need for travel to the Maldives for document processing.

During the visit to the High Commission, the President also visited Sosun Villa and the National Museum of Sri Lanka to tour the facilities.