Maldivian MP opposes maritime agreement with Sri Lanka

A Maldivian ruling party parliamentarian opposes the maritime agreement his government has signed with the Sri Lankan government to allow Sri Lankan vessels passage through Maldivian waters to the Arabian Sea.

MP Mohamed Musthafa of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has demanded that his government withdraw the maritime agreement or face a binding resolution from parliament that will force the government to invalidate the agreement, Minivan News, a Maldivian news website reported.

The MP has claimed that the agreement opens the Maldivian waters for Sri Lankan fisherman to steal the fish from Maldives’ territorial waters.

“The Sri Lankan government knows that the Maldivian waters are rich in fish and has many fishing points, that is why they have made this agreement,” Musthafa has said.

The MP has pointed out that Sri Lankan vessels normally would not have the fuel capacity to reach Arabian waters and the purpose of the agreement is to steal the fish in their waters.

However, the Fisheries Minister of Maldives, Dr. Ibrahim Didi has told local media that no such agreement had been signed.

The maritime agreement has been signed during Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of External Affairs, Neomal Perera’s recent visit to Maldives, the Maldivian government sources have said.  MP Musthafa has said that the agreement was a “very dangerous step” taken by the government and all Maldivians will be affected by it.

“I will see how the government decides to act upon this issue and will submit the resolution if it does not withdraw this agreement,” the MP has said.