The Chief of Defense Force, Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, has met with the Chief of Staff for the Sri Lankan Navy, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando.

The meeting took place at the Sri Lankan Navy Headquarters in Colombo on December 1.

"The meeting strengthened ongoing defence cooperation and longstanding ties between the two nations," the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said in a post on social media X.

According to the Sri Lankan Navy website, the Sri Lankan army had a guard of honor for Hilmy.

The MNDF Coast Guard vessel Huravee was in Sri Lanka during Hilmy's visit. This was the Huravee's first foreign voyage to participate in the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Sri Lankan Navy.

The fleet review activities were held on November 30, in conjunction with the Sri Lankan Navy Anniversary.

Delegations from 20 countries participated in the event, including vessels from the Maldives, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Russia and Iran.