Hinnavaru residents have protested the government’s decision to lease the island’s reclaimed land to a foreign company.

13 hectares of the newly reclaimed land have been leased to a Thai company.

Many of the residents gathered at the site on Friday evening, to protest the lack of transparency from the island council on the issue.

Hinnavaru Council Vice President Mohamed Solih has refused to respond to the protest or disclose information on the land lease.

Construction has already begun, and police have warned protestors not to damage the equipment at the site.

RaajjeMV has received information that the Thai company is to begin a sea cucumber farming project.