Maldivian family arrested for illegal stay

A Maldivian family residing in neighboring Sri Lanka has been arrested, Maldivian media reported. Maldivian based Raajje Television reported that the family had been living in the neighboring country illegally and includes a two-year-old toddler and an individual who had been living in Sri Lanka without a visa for five years.

The Director of Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maldives, Miuvan Mohamed confirmed that they have received reports of the incident and that they have launched further investigations into the case.

The family has since been placed under the custody of the Sri Lankan authorities and Miuvan revealed that the ministry is providing consular assistance to the five-member family.

The foreign minister has urged Maldivians to adhere to the laws and regulations of their respective countries of residence.
Ever since the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka during April 2019, Lankan authorities have been conducting operations to seek out immigrants residing illegally in the country.

The neighboring country is home to a large Maldivian community and several locals travel there for medical purposes on an yearly basis, as well as recreational and business purposes.