People’s Majlis Speaker and former President, Mohamed Nasheed is on leave for the first time since taking office last May.

Hence, Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla is presiding over Monday’s sitting, as per normal procedures.

While the lawmakers on leave or absent are announced at the beginning of a sitting, MP Eva announced that three were on leave on Monday, including the speaker.

The Galolhu-North constituency representative said that Nasheed had sent a notice explaining the reason for his absence from the sitting.

As such, Eva said that the Nasheed is attending an event by the Maldives Coral Institute in Thulusdhoo island, from 24-25 February.

Noting that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will join the speaker at the event on Tuesday, she said that the purpose of the event is to raise awareness on the threat that coral reefs are facing due to climate change and explore on ways to protect them.

The event will feature various panel discussions including on how the reefs are affected due to reclamation, fisheries and tourism.