Sri Lankan Prime Minister addresses Maldives parliament
Guardian visas were pledged for parents and grandparents of Maldivian students.
03 Sep 2019, 9:00 AM
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday addressed the Maldives parliament during his official visit to the country.
Several agreements of cooperation in visa facilitation, water supply, youth development, vocational training, higher education and social empowerment signed on Monday would help “fortify the mutual relationship,” he told the People’s Majlis.
“In addition, parents or guardians of students studying in Sri Lanka will now be able get guardian visas till the student reaches the age of 18 years with no lower age limit,” he said. “As a special arrangement, visas for grandparents of the students will also be facilitated so that they could stay and spend time with their grandchildren in Sri Lanka.
The announcement was greeted with applause from lawmakers. About 13,000 Maldivians are estimated to reside in the neighbouring country, predominantly in the capital Colombo.
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