Motion proposed against maritime agreement with Sri Lanka

A motion has been proposed in the Peoples’ Majlis yesterday against the maritime agreement of the government signed with the Sri Lanka to enable Sri Lankan fishermen to travel to the Arabian Sea via the Maldivian maritime territory.

The resolution against the maritime agreement with Sri Lanka was proposed by the Funadhoo MP Ali Saleem of the main opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP). With three motions proposed in yesterday’s sitting, Majlis chair gave opportunity to propose this resolution after taking lots among the three MPs who proposed the motions.

“This immediate motion that I am proposing to the Peoples’ Majlis today is the issue of the maritime agreement of the government with the Sri Lanka which allows Sri Lankan fishermen to travel to the Arabian Sea via the Maldivian territorial waters.  Since this was announced by both the governments, and since it is evident that foreign countries are aware of the many shallows in the Maldivian seas where fish are plentiful, since this is a matter of concern and danger,” Saleem said while proposing the motion.

Saleem said that this motion was proposed because “it is from the vows of the MDP government to open good opportunities for fishermen, since it is from the most crucial requests of the fishermen to secure the territorial waters of Maldives from foreign vessels.”

The motion states that this agreement of the government with neighbouring Sri Lanka is a precursor to more clandestine deals. The motion asked to clarify as to which Maritime Law was referred to make arrangements in 48 hours for foreign Fishing vessels to travel through Maldivian waters.

The motion proposed by MP Saleem called the government to annul the agreement which enables illegal fishing by Sri Lankan fishing vessels in the territorial waters of Maldives.

Meanwhile, Thimarafushi MP, Mohamed Mustafa on Saturday stated that he will propose a resolution in the Majlis against the new agreement of the government signed with the Sri Lanka to enable Sri Lankan fishermen to travel to the Arabian Sea via the Maldivian maritime territory.

Mustafa who is also a member of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said that the maritime territory of the Maldives is the right of the people and the people are against this new decision of the government. He said that such decisions should only be made after taking a public vote.