The two MOUs on the Transfer of Prisoners and Visa 

Waivers for the mutual benefit of both countries were 

signed by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama 

and Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Saheed. 

The new Visa Agreement is designed to ease the visa 

regime currently in place between the two countries, 

for the convenience of nationals from both countries. 

Underthis new agreement, Maldivian nationals will be 

exempt from the visa fee for visits of 90 days or less, 

and will also grant long term visas to Maldivian 

students and accompanying parents or guardians 

in Sri Lanka. The Agreement will also facilitate a 

one year multiple entry visa for Maldivian traveling 

to Sri Lanka and vice versa for purposes of business 

and investment. 

Under the Transfer of Prisoners Agreement, nationals of 

one country convicted in the other will have the 

opportunity to serve the remainder of their sentences 

in their country of citizenship. By giving convicted 

parties the opportunity to serve their sentences 

in their own countries, close to family and kin, this 

agreement is viewed as a positive step towards 

the successful rehabilitation of criminals in both countries.