No New agreement was signed with Sri Lanka- Zuhair

Press Secretary of the President, Mohamed Zuhair has said that there was no other agreement signed with the neighbouring Sri Lankan government which enables Sri Lankan vessels passage through Maldivian waters to the Arabian Sea except agreements signed under the United Nations Convention “Law of the Seas.”

Speaking to Miadhu Daily, the Press Secretary Zuhair said that no other agreements were signed during Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of External Affairs, Neomal Perera's recent visit to Maldives. He said however that discussions were held to expedite the process of authorizing special permits to those vessels who request for permission to enter the territorial waters of Maldives during their passage.

Zuhair said that currently it takes three or four days for the process of giving these vessels special permits. He said that during the discussions it was suggested that if state of the art technology is used then the process will take only 48 hours. 

Zuhair noted that the Sri Lankan vessels can enter the premises of the water of Maldives under special permit. He said that this was not only restricted to Sri Lankan vessels but also to vessels to other countries. He also added that the Coast Guard will be monitoring these vessels that enter the territorial waters even with special permits.

“These vessels will be given no opportunity to fish in the territorial waters of Maldives. If they are caught in the act or if the vessels enter the premises without prior permit, then steps will be taken against them for violating the laws,” he said.

Zuhair also said that the government is steadfast on doing everything possible to secure the territorial waters of Maldives. He also affirmed the denial of the Fisheries Minister on the claims that an agreement was signed to allow Sri Lankan fishing vessels to Maldivian territorial waters.