Sri Lanka providing refuge to former President Mohamed Nasheed’s family will have no affect on the relationship between the current Maldivian government and Colombo, says new President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan comparing the two nations to “brothers and sisters”.
“President Nasheed’s family is free to be wherever they want to be. I can assure you we have the best relationship with Sri Lanka,” President Waheed who took over after Nasheed’s resignation told foreign media on Thursday.
A journalist inquired from the President during the press conference: Maldives has had strong relations with Sri Lanka and currently Nasheed’s wife and children are in Sri Lanka. Will this affect the current government’s relationship with Sri Lanka?
To which Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan replied saying:
“No, Sri Lanka again is very close to us. We are like brothers and sisters. We share our language, history and culture. This question doesn’t have to be raised at all.
“President Nasheed’s family is free to be wherever they want to be. I can assure you we have the best relationship with Sri Lanka.
I have spoken to President Rajapaksa more than once and I don’t think we have to worry about it. All nationals – from India, Sri Lanka – are free to stay here and we will do our best to protect them.”
