(COLOMBO) – Some 25 Sri Lankans are among 186 foreign nationals to be deported from the Maldives for alleged activities such as visa violations, operating illegal businesses and even drug offences, local media reports said on Thursday.
Among those listed to be deported, the highest number is from Bangladesh (83), followed by India (43), Sri Lanka (25) and Nepal (08).
The news of the deportation comes amid an ongoing diplomatic row between India and Maldives after the Maldivian home ministry said they have undertaken efforts to shut down businesses operating illegally in the country with earnings deposited to bank accounts held by foreigners.
The Maldives’ Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan said his office is working with the Finance Ministry operating against ‘illegal businesses’ operating under various names. He said businesses operated by a foreigner instead of the registered owner also comes under the ambit of the so-called ‘illegal businesses’, the reports added.
Several Sri Lankans are known to be operating big and small time businesses in the Indian Ocean Archipelago but it was not known whether they operated within the legal frame work of that country or otherwise, officials said.
