Foreign Ministry says it is working through High Commission to gather information from Sri Lankan police regarding reports of intimidation against Maldivians
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced an investigation into allegations that Maldivians living in Sri Lanka were intimidated by local police during President Muizzu’s recent visit. While the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo clarified that it did not request any Sri Lankan authorities to prevent individuals from attending the President’s reception, officials are currently seeking further information regarding reports that several Maldivians were summoned by police to provide statements.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed during their arrival in Sri Lanka. | Presidents Office
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that it is working with the Sri Lankan police and the Maldives High Commission in Colombo to gather information regarding allegations that Maldivian dissidents living in Sri Lanka were intimidated by local authorities during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s recent visit.
In response to a letter sent by a private individual regarding this matter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has sought clarification from the High Commission of the Maldives in Sri Lanka concerning the issues raised.
According to information received from the High Commission, the mission clarified that it did not request the Sri Lankan police or any other authority to obstruct any individual from attending the reception hosted for the President in Sri Lanka, nor did it seek any such intervention.
In a formal response signed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminath Rana Hussain Shihab, the ministry stated it is currently working through the High Commission to obtain information from Sri Lankan police regarding allegations that a Maldivian national was coerced by authorities into missing a reception attended by the President in Sri Lanka and was subsequently forced to provide a statement.
At the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President Muizzu conducted a state visit to the country from the 3rd to the 6th of this month. During this visit, allegations surfaced that the Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka dispatched local police to the residences of Maldivians to intimidate those suspected of planning to voice concerns or dissatisfaction during the President’s scheduled meeting with the community. Government spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef stated on May 7, 2026, that the administration would investigate the matter.
Shareef stated that neither the government nor the President had issued any instructions or taken any action to prevent specific individuals from attending the President's meeting.
