Sri Lankan nationals employed in the Maldives remit approximately $129 million to Sri Lanka each year, according to Sudesh Mendis, the outgoing President of the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council.

In an interview with a Sri Lankan newspaper, Mendis stated that over 21,000 Sri Lankans are currently working in the Maldives, with a significant number of them employed within the tourism industry.

Mendis noted that while Sri Lanka was previously a key partner for the Maldives, the relationship has faced some challenges recently. He emphasized the importance of restoring the historical ties between the two nations.

Sharing the news on Facebook, Mendis further highlighted that the decline in the number of Maldivians residing in Sri Lanka represents a notable economic loss for the country.

"Before the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, there were about 17,000 Maldivians living there. However, that number has now dwindled to approximately 1,400. The estimated loss of income for Sri Lanka is around $100 million annually," he remarked.

Despite these figures, Mendis expressed optimism that strong relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka can be revitalized, noting that the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council is actively working towards this goal.