Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Masood Imad has criticized the Sri Lankan government for discriminating against Maldivians.
In an interview with Sri Lanka's Daily News, Masood accused the Sri Lankan authorities, especially the Immigration, of discriminating against Maldivians with "step-motherly treatments."
He alleged that Maldivians living in and traveling to Sri Lanka have to stand in long queues from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm to obtain and renew their visas.
"I am perplexed as to why officials only consider those who arrive in Sri Lanka with fair skin as visitors," Masood was quoted as saying.
He accused Sri Lankan immigration officials of doing this for financial gain by indicating that applying for visas through travel agents is more convenient.
Sri Lanka has been a popular destination for Maldivians for years, but this could change with the discrimination, Masood warned.
Masood further said he had asked the Sri Lankan government to clarify whether the discrimination was because the Maldives was seen as a security threat.
"I have inquired with Sri Lankan authorities regarding whether my country has been classified as a country of security concern. I am still awaiting their response," he stated.
Masood made more comments about the neighboring country, which a diplomat and especially an ambassador, should be cautious about.
"Maldivian fishing vessels do not infringe upon Sri Lankan territorial waters for fishing, whereas Sri Lankan fishing vessels do. We deport them after imposing a fine, but we have never raised this as an issue," he was quoted.
He warned that visa rules for Sri Lankans living in the Maldives will be tightened if conditions for Maldivians do not improve in Sri Lanka.
