The state has amended part of its decision to have council members seek prior permission before meeting with diplomats and foreign dignitaries, the Local Government Authority has announced.

A letter from the authority addressed to local government councils said that the earlier decision has been changed and council members can meet foriegn organizations that provide aid, although council members must now send details of such meetings and their transcripts within a period of three days.

The highly contentious decision was made on December 11^th, while two heads of foreign missions were on tour in the outer lying islands.

The government had then announced that local councils in the atolls and islands need prior permission before speaking with any representatives of foreign diplomatic services or organizations.

The decision has been heavily criticized by the joint opposition, with the Maldivian Democratic Party releasing a statement condemning it and describing it as ‘attempt at centralizing power’, and violated.

The entirety of the Gaafu Alifu Atoll council had been suspended after they met with Indian ambassador Akhilesh Mishra, and Malé City council, which has a majority of members aligned with the opposition, met with United Nations officials.

UK Ambassador James Dauris, who was in Thinadhoo island when the decision was made, had described it as the ‘latest unfortunate step in the Maldives’.

US Ambassador Atul Keshap had since soon called it a restriction of 'democratic values and transparency'.