President Muizzu Launches Passport and ID Issuance Services for Maldivians in Sri Lanka

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has officially launched a new service for printing and issuing Maldivian passports and national identity cards in Sri Lanka. The initiative, unveiled during the President's state visit to the country, aims to provide critical consular relief to the significant Maldivian diaspora residing in Sri Lanka. The launch took place at the Maldives High Commission in Colombo, where President Muizzu handed over the first locally-issued passport to a Maldivian citizen. The President was accompanied by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and was welcomed by High Commissioner Masood Imad. During the visit, the President also met with High Commission staff to express his gratitude for their ongoing service to the community. This development is part of a strategic government effort to decentralize identity services in countries with high concentrations of Maldivian residents. Sri Lanka is the second nation to receive these facilities, following the successful implementation of similar services in Malaysia. By removing the requirement for citizens to travel back to the Maldives for document renewal, the government seeks to drastically reduce the financial burden and logistical hurdles faced by expatriates. Beyond the High Commission, President Muizzu visited the Maldives Cultural Centre at Sosun Villa. The centre serves as a vital educational and cultural hub in Colombo, providing Islamic education and Dhivehi language classes to ensure that the Maldivian identity and heritage are preserved among those living abroad. This international expansion mirrors the government's domestic efforts to improve accessibility. Passport and identity card facilities have now been established across all atolls within the Maldives, ensuring that citizens have streamlined access to essential documentation regardless of whether they are based at home or overseas.