LGA issues exception to foreign diplomat ban

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has issued an exception that allows local councillors to meet foreign organisations involved in government partnerships, after initially banning all contact between foreign diplomats and councils.

The LGA explained the exception in a letter sent to city, atoll and island councils on Wednesday.

Citing the home ministry, the LGA said it was “permissible for councillors to meet foreign organisations without prior permission if the organisation is partnering with the relevant ministry of the government over something”.

Local councils were banned from meeting foreign diplomats without written permission from authorities, including the home affairs ministry, on December 11. The ban came after Indian and British ambassadors visited islands in Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.

The atoll council of Gaafu Dhaalu was suspended after it was found to have met with the Indian ambassador despite the LGA ban.