Speaker writes to Maldives Speaker raising concerns

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya has written to Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed, the Speaker of the Majlis (Parliament) in the Maldives, raising concerns over the current developments in the Maldives.

Jayasuriya, writing as the chair of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians, said that democratic norms and Parliamentary practices appear to be in peril at this time in the Maldives.

The Speaker said in his letter that the recent developments in the Maldives, including the declaration of emergency and arrests, and disrespect of the Supreme Court rulings, threaten Constitutional principles and undermine the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.