Government of Maldives has warned tour operators that resorts under Villa Group might cease operations. 

A statement issued by Tourism Ministry on January 30th, states that a temporary license was granted to Villa Group as the Group had pending payments to the state and by issuing the temporary license, the state had hoped the pending amounts would be paid. 

However, the statement said the actions of the group had confirmed they had no intention of doing so. 

It also added that Villa Group was defying the state and state agencies and encouraging their employees to protest in sight of their guests. 

Tourism Ministry warned that the state would not grant any reprieves for Villa Group in th future, after the present temporary license expires. Given this, the statement said, it was likely that Villa Group resorts might cease their operations.

The statement also noted that Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) had filed several cases in Court over pending payments. 

A previous statement released by Villa Shipping and Trading Company noted that the said payments are an arbitrary figure determined by the state with no basis on facts.