Parliament summons Khaleel over envoy's Lanka visa criticism
Masood said Maldivians face difficulties in obtaining visas, including long waiting hours between 9am and 5pm.
Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel has been summoned to the People’s Majlis for questioning over comments made by the Maldives’ ambassador to Sri Lanka regarding alleged immigration discrimination faced by Maldivians travelling to Sri Lanka.
The matter concerns remarks by Masood Imad, Maldives’ ambassador to Sri Lanka, made in an interview with the Daily News. In the interview, Masood criticised what he described as discriminatory practices affecting Maldivians travelling to Sri Lanka. His comments drew criticism on social media, with some users stating that the remarks were inconsistent with diplomatic norms.
The motion to question the foreign minister was submitted by Meekail Naseem, a member of parliament for Galolhu South representing the Maldivian Democratic Party.
In the question submitted to parliament, Meekail Naseem asked whether Masood had, in the interview, warned of possible changes to visa policies affecting Maldivian professionals working in Sri Lanka, and whether such public statements aligned with principles of diplomacy and bilateral dialogue.
In the Daily News interview, Masood said Maldivians face difficulties in obtaining visas, including long waiting hours between 9am and 5pm. He also stated that the Maldives is not being treated as a safe country and said his inquiries to relevant authorities had not received responses.
Masood further alleged that visa processing through travel agents allows applications to be completed more quickly, suggesting that officials may be benefiting financially from the current system.
He said that if the situation continues, the Maldives government may be compelled to review visa policies affecting Sri Lankan professionals working in various sectors.
