Home Ministry: Circular banning meetings with diplomats still in effect

Home Ministry has said that the circular issued to ban Councilors from meeting foreign diplomats are still in effect.

The Local Government Authority banned councilors from meeting with foreign diplomats without permission from the Home Ministry on 11 December 2017.

Some media outlets reported today that the ban has been lifted.

In a tweet sent out by the Home Ministry today confirmed that the LGA circular regarding the ban is still in effect and the media reports are false.

However, the LGA has sent letters to the councils with a more detailed explanation of the circular.

The letter said that the councils do not need the Home Ministry's approval when working with the Ministries on government projects. But the accounts of the meeting has to be submitted within three days of the meeting, to the Home Ministry.

And that councils can meet with aid organizations without approval.

The LGA issued a circular saying that some councils have been meeting with foreign diplomats in violation of the Constitution and the Supreme Court ruling.

Supreme Court ruled that the local councils must be run under the state central authority.

LGA circular also said that meeting with foreign diplomats and organizations could obstruct state and international policies and affect foreign relations.

After a meeting with the Indian Ambassador to the Maldives, Akhilesh Mishra, the entire Gaafu Alifu Atoll Council was suspended for three months.