The National Airline Maldivian has started direct flights between Male' and Sri Lanka's capital Colombo.

A special ceremony was also held at Velana International Airport (VIA) on Thursday night to commemorate the service.

The Airline said it flew 150 passengers on its first flight to Sri Lanka last night.

Maldives will fly to Sri Lanka on Thursdays and Saturdays every week, which will be operated by airbus A320 aircraft.

Managing Director of Maldives Ibrahim Ilyas said that direct flights between The Maldives and Sri Lanka are important for tourism in the Maldives.

Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the Maldives also said that the resumption of direct flights between Maldives and Sri Lanka will strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries and is an important route for the Maldives and Sri Lanka as well.

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has said that the resumption of flights between Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka will benefit Sri Lankans as well as Maldivians.