SL won't raise former Maldivian President's imprisonment

by Manjula Fernando

Sri Lanka is not expected to raise the arrest and imprisonment of former Maldivian President and Opposition Leader Mohamed Nasheed, as the Chair of the Commonwealth.

A foreign ministry official said the Government has already expressed concern on a bi-lateral note soon after the arrest but it might not issue a fresh statement as the current Commonwealth Chair in office.

The statement by the Foreign ministry issued on February 25 read, "Sri Lanka, as a friendly neighboring country is concerned about the recent developments in Maldives. It is hoped that all stakeholders in Maldives will resolve their differences in a peaceful manner, within the legal provisions in Maldives."

Nasheed's wife Laila Ali and his political allies as well as his party, the Maldivian Democratic party has claimed plans are afoot to murder him in prison and several failed assasination bids have already taken place.

Foreign Minister to Maldives during Nashseed's administration, Ahmed Naseem told Indian news website Firstpost that there were several attempts on Nasheed's life in the prison.

Speaking to the Firstpost journalist from Colombo, Naseem said once the imprisoned Opposition Leader was asked to eat powdered glass by his captors.

His wife had appealed the Indian Government, which is currently engaged in soft power diplomacy, for urgent intervention to secure his release.

Sri Lanka accommodates the highest population of Maldivians living outside of Maldives.

A spokesperson for the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo said currently over 10,000 Maldivians, most of whom are students enrolled in educational institutions and their parents, live here on resident visa. Colombo is also popular among them for health tourism.

The Immigration and Emigration Department said a total of 91,066 Maldivians visited Sri Lanka on visit visa and resident visa in 2014, which is a significant increase compared to 50,411 in 2010.