Maldives, Sri Lanka must find a way to share ocean territories: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that Maldives and Sri Lanka "must find a way" to share each other's ocean territories.

Speaking at an event held to mark Sri Lanka's 71st Independence Day on Monday night, the former president emphasized that Maldives and Sri Lanka have been "linked in history throughout the ages."

He noted that the countries are "not only linked in culture, language and history, but also in trade and every single manner."

He also noted that Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo has the highest number of Maldives and called it Maldives "second biggest city."

Nasheed further highlighted the neighboring country's various contributions to the Maldives' development, including tourism, economic and construction sectors.

In addition, the former president noted that more than 40 percent of the fish from Maldives is sold to the Sri Lankan market.

However, he noted that there is "still more" scope for both countries to collaborate in the fishing sector and find "markets for each other's fishermen."

He highlighted that this can be done by "sharing each other's ocean territory."

"If we open this opportunity to both our fishing communities, I am sure both countries would gain from it. We must get ever closer, the idea has to always be ever closing union, and we must take it on as a project so that we can overcome whatever borders or difference we may have," said Nasheed.

While former president Nasheed was the chief guest at the event held by the Sri Lankan embassy in capital Malé City, incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was the guest of honour at the Independence Day celebrations held in Colombo on February 4.