Jailed Former President Mohamed Nasheed set off for Sri Lanka on Sunday, marking his second visit to the South Asian nation this year.
His last visit was on January 29 and ensued for a fortnight as he discussed the political situation of the Maldives and future of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He held meetings with top officials of MDP and participated in a National Council meeting of the party to seek members’ opinions on decisions regarding the party and political climate. He had further shared his concerns regarding the Maldives’ political and economic situations with some foreign ambassadors and called upon the President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena.
It was also during this visit that he announced his candidacy for the Presidential Elections 2018.
An official of Nasheed’s Office told Mihaaru that the former president intends to hold more political meetings during this visit as well, and meet some of Sri Lanka’s top politicians and diplomats for talks. The office did not disclose the duration of his visit.
Former President Nasheed, who is sentenced to thirteen years in jail for the arbitrary detention of a judge during his administration, has been living in the United Kingdom under political asylum for over a year. This is his third visit to Sri Lanka during this period.
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