Deported expatriate files case at Civil Court

A Sri Lankan who was deported by Maldives Immigration on allegations of living in the country illegally has filed a case against this decision at the Civil Court.

The case against Immigration was filed by Thentheni Varen Nadeesh Perera, who was married to a Maldivian, and had been deported in May.

After this, Perera had attempted to enter Maldives on a tourist visa. Immigration did not allow him entry, after which the matter was highly talked about on social media as well.

Perera has submitted a judicial review case seeking to review the decision to not allow him entry into the Maldives. However, Immigration has said in court that this is outside the Civil Court's jurisdiction.

The court rejected Immigration's statement, and has decided to continue with the case.

The case submitted by Perera states that Immigration had not provided a reason for the actions taken against him, and had failed to notify him that he could seek legal representation. He said that as these are fundamental rights, and Immigration had denied him said rights, he appeals to the court to rule their decision unlawful.