Maldives President Abdulla Yameen seeks approval to extend state of emergency by 15 days
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen on Monday sought parliamentary approval to extend a state of emergency for 15 days in the Indian Ocean archipelago as the “the situation has not changed”, parliament’s Deputy Secretary General Fathmath Niusha told the legislature.
Yameen imposed the state of emergency on Feb. 6 for 15 days, having defied a Supreme Court ruling after it quashed convictions against nine opposition leaders, and ordered his government to release those held in prison.
The state of emergency was to end on Tuesday.
Tourism worst hit
The ongoing political unrest in the Maldives has virtually destroyed the country’s tourism industry with massive cancellations reported by tour groups and airlines.
There has been a sharp fall in the tourist inflow since President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency on Monday.
Many countries including China, the United States, India and European countries have issued travel alerts for their citizens.
The people of the Maldives, whose economy survives on tourism, are worried and are showing concerns over the sharp decline of tourist inflow.
Maldives Voice said in its tweet, “40% of Guest houses are facing cancellations and the percentage is increasing. Countries all around the world are warning the citizens from visiting us and Tourism sector is …read more
