Sunday Times 2
The Maldives, a nation of friends
View(s):A tropical Paradise with crystal clear water, stunning beaches, more than 1,200 tiny islands spread all over the ocean is the Republic of Maldives.
Inhabited islands are 200, of which luxury resorts are in more than 150. The first resort was opened in 1972 and over a period of 50 short years the Republic of Maldives has benchmarked itself to be a sought out destination on the global map for tourism. Such is the growth of the country and the focused attention by a population of 400,000 people.
Sri Lanka's High Commissioner Mohamed Rizvi Hassen receiving the donation
Maldivians continue to hold Sri Lanka as their second home, as the elderly generation yet values the contributions made by Sri Lanka to the Maldives to commence growth with all the limited infrastructure and natural resources. During the days gone by, teachers from Sri Lanka played a major role in the field of education with focus on English and Mathematics. That was a strong formation to build a good educational system in the Maldives, geared to face the economic challenges of the Maldives from 1975 onwards.
Trading between Sri Lanka and the Maldives at one time was the bartering system. This eventually evolved towards import of iron, rice and other commodities to the Maldives while they exported Maldive fish.
By nature, an average Maldivian lives on ‘love and compassion’ and treats human life globally with respect and care. During the unforeseen calamity of ‘Ditwa’ where Sri Lanka suffered a major blow, the Maldivians were glued to their phones watching the rivers overflow, mountains collapsing, buses drowning, helicopters saving and we Lankans being isolated in a big way. With tears in their eyes and anxiety growing with each and every one who wanted to help and support but did not know how to do so.
The days Sri Lanka had the worst climatic disaster, the dynamic Managing Director of Villa Group, Maldives, Mr Ibrahim with the support of the Group Chairman, made the first cash donation of USD 100,000 to the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in the Maldives. This opened the floodgates where a majority of the rich corporates continued to support “the need of the hour” for our nation. As individual Maldivians’ small amounts of Maldivian ruffias were also given as contributions over and above a large stock of tuna cans to feed Lankans who were challenged by nature. It is roughly estimated that their contributions could be valued around USD 2.8 mn, from a tiny nation with a very big heart. All over the Republic of Maldives, there were banners reading “We stand with you Sri Lanka”. These were not state generated ones nor supported by organisations, but these were mere feelings of individuals who had transcribed their feelings onto banners and actions.
There was a time, approximately 35,000 to 40,000 Maldivians were living in Sri Lanka, shuttling up and down from their home to our home. They were indirectly contributing to the Sri Lanka economy in the fields of education, medical and domestic purchases. Today, the numbers have reduced drastically, as Cochin, Kula Lumpur and other destinations have come in to the Maldivians’ vision.
However, during this ‘Ditwa’ calamity, the nation stood together tall and strong for Sri Lanka and her people despite their limited resources and the nation’s own economic hardships: That is a true friend of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has a lot to learn from this tiny island and her beautiful people and I would like to script a few. The nation without rivers, mountains, greenery, landscapes had become a top end tourist destination owing to the resilient nature and the will to perform. The first resort in Male was opened in 1972, and today, we have more than 200 resorts and all luxury international brands. The Maldivians strongly value their culture, their religious beliefs and practice Islam. However, they are not blinded to build the nation with their main resource, the beaches. The tourist industry continues to grow year-on-year while the high net worth individuals from the global market reach out to the Maldives very frequently. The discipline displayed in providing value for money by the tourist industry is truly magnificent. Information technology has driven the nation to such great heights.
Despite all these, they have love and compassion for people of the world whether it is Gaza, the Middle East, and Ukraine, where ever humanitarian support is needed. The 400,000 people of the Maldives together go beyond borders of nation, barriers of languages and partitions of religions and look at humans as humans. I am sure Sri Lanka is heading in this direction as people of one nation. A country of Sinhalese Buddhist, majority getting humanitarian support from a Muslim nation which is admired and written by a Hindu Lankan.
A special word of thanks to the Sri Lankan Ambassador Mohamed Rizvi Hassen for having coordinated the support efforts of relief exceptionally well.
- Ponnambalam Sritharan