Short answer — the best places to search for cheap Colombo (CMB) → Malé (MLE) flights are Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak/Momondo (compare all three), plus OTAs like Expedia/Trip.com — and always cross‑check the airline’s own site (SriLankan, Flydubai, Gulf Air, Emirates, FitsAir, etc.). (valuepenguin.com)

Where to look (quick list)

• Google Flights — fast, excellent calendar/price-tracking and new “Cheapest/Flight Deals” features. (theverge.com)
• Skyscanner & Momondo — often find the lowest fares and budget/OTA-only tickets. (valuepenguin.com)
• Kayak — strong filters, “hacker” fares and useful price forecasts/alerts. (valuepenguin.com)
• OTAs (Expedia, Trip.com) — good for packaged deals and occasional OTA‑only discounts; always compare with the airline price. (expedia.com)
• Airline websites — SriLankan, Flydubai, Emirates, Gulf Air, FitsAir (and others) operate CMB–MLE; check them directly if you find a good fare. (flightsfrom.com)

Practical tactics to get the best deal

• Be flexible with dates — use the whole‑month view or “flexible dates” on Google Flights/Skyscanner to spot the cheapest day to fly. (theverge.com)
• Set price alerts on at least two engines (e.g., Google Flights + Skyscanner or Kayak) and on Hopper if you prefer mobile push alerts. (valuepenguin.com)
• Compare the OTA price to the airline’s site and, when prices match, consider booking direct for easier changes/refunds. (valuepenguin.com)
• Travel midweek and in shoulder seasons (avoid high-season holiday weeks) — shorter routes like CMB–MLE often have cheaper midweek departures. (valuepenguin.com)
• Booking window: analyses vary, but many find international fares often are best booked a few weeks to a couple of months before departure — watch price trends and alerts rather than relying on a single “perfect” window. (investopedia.com)

Quick checklist to run through when you search

1. Search the same dates on Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak (or Momondo).
2. Set alerts on 2–3 sites/apps.
3. Check the cheapest OTA result against the airline’s website.
4. Consider splitting one-way tickets if it’s cheaper (different carriers).
5. If you’re flexible, try the Google Flights “Explore”/whole‑month view or Skyscanner “Everywhere” to spot very low fares or alternative routing. (theverge.com)

If you want, I can check live fares for specific dates and return options and give the cheapest current options (I’ll compare Google Flights, Skyscanner, Expedia and the airline sites). Safe travels!