Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on Monday requested the government of Sri Lanka to ensure the safety of Maldivians residing in the neighbouring nation.
Shahid made the request via a phone call to his Sri Lankan counterpart, Thilak Marapana, with whom he discussed the current state of Sri Lanka as well as the situation of the Maldivian population residing in the country.
Furthermore, the two ministers conversed on recent statements made by the Sri Lankan army leader, Mahesh Senanayake, in which he claimed that Maldivians were travelling via the country to Syria.
Sri Lanka assured the government of Maldives that it would ensure a safe environment for Maldivians.
The country heightened national security after the terror attacks on April 21, which killed over 250 people. Riots and violence against the Muslim population of Sri Lanka have also arisen in the wake of the Easter attacks.
A number of Maldivians were arrested in the crackdown launched by Sri Lankan authorities to inspect residences and households. Two Maldivians still remain in custody.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shahid has declared that Maldives will always work with other countries in the region to combat terrorism and establish regional peace in the Indian Ocean and South Asia.
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