Parliament rejects amendment seeking to collect $30 from departing foreigners

Parliament has rejected today the amendment proposed by the government seeking to allow collection of a $30 service charge from all foreigners exiting the country through airports.

Proposed by Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed on behalf of the government, the bill proposed to collected a service charge only from foreign passangers, excluding the local. The amendment bill was rejected today following a close vote, where 28 MPs voted against, and 27 MPs in favour.

The law currently levies a $12 (MVR 185.04) charge on all locals, excepting children bellow 2 years of age, and $18.5 (MVR 285.27) on all foreign passengers, exiting though international airports. These charges were incorporated to the law following amendments proposed during President Mohamed Nasheed’s term of office.