A Sri Lankan national was denied entry into the Maldives yesterday due to a prior deportation, according to Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, the Controller General of Immigration.

CG Shamaan further commented the situation on Twitter last night

He emphasized that the immigration laws of the Maldives are applied uniformly to everyone, regardless of nationality.

According to information received to Voice, individual in question, Nadeesh Perera had been deported on the 4th of this month under Chapter 20 of the Maldives Immigration Act, which outlines the conditions under which individuals may be denied entry or deported for legal violations.

There is currently an ongoing investigation into his case for contravening the immigration regulations.

Yesterday morning, the individual's lawyer, Mariyam Muna, Managing Partner at M.M Chambers, also commented on the situation and highlighted the legal challenges arising from the denial of entry.

Muna noted that Maldivian lawyers are unable to assist him until he receives an official immigration stamp.

Furthermore, Muna indicated that Maldives immigration officials had notified the Sri Lankan High Commission about a restriction order intended to protect the individual’s ex-wife, a Maldivian citizen.

However, she noted that the order was not directly issued to the immigration authorities.

The individual was subsequently handed over to Sri Lankan Airlines and is allowed to depart from the country at any time.