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Lanka denies Maldivian charge of extra luggage checks at BIA
View(s):The Maldivian Government has expressed serious concern over the heightened checking of luggage of Maldivians by the local authorities at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) — but Customs officials denied the charge saying all foreign visitors are treated in the same manner.
In a face-off meeting on Friday between the Maldivian High Commissioner Zahuya Zareer and the Secretary of Foreign Ministry Secretary Chitranganie Wagiswara, a spokesperson for Maldivian Mission told the Sunday Times.
He said Maldivians entering Sri Lanka had been targeted for extreme checking of their baggage where food and other items have been closely scrutinized by airport officials. The envoy raised this issue and other consular matters with the Ministry Secretary.
Customs Spokesperson Leslie Gamini said that all visitors entering the country were treated in the same manner. The latest development also comes in the wake of the arrest and detention of a Sri Lankan in Male on allegations that he was a professional sniper and a threat to Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen.
However, the Maldivian spokesperson said the issue of the Sri Lankan in Male had not been raised at Friday’s meeting which he added ended in a friendly and cordial manner. The Sri Lankan, 24-year-old Lahiru Madushanka is being detained on a remote Maldivian island for questioning over his alleged links in the plot to assassinate President Yameen.
The parents this week repeated their appeal to both Sri Lankan and Maldivian authorities to release their son soon saying he was not involved in subversive activity and that he went to the Maldives to look for a job. Meanwhile, the detained Lankan’s lawyer is to seek assistance from the Defence Ministry and the Foreign Office in a bid to expedite his release. “The local law enforcement authorities in Male are awaiting an ‘all clear’ report from the Sri Lankan authorities before my client could be discharged,” lawyer Shabdika Wellappili said.