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Government watching developments in the Maldives

A Foreign Ministry media release issued yesterday states:

"Sri Lanka has been watching with concern the recent developments in the Maldvies resulting in the declaration of a State of Emergency and the arrest of leading Maldivians.

The Government of Sri Lanka was pleased to receive yesterday the Special Envoy of President Gayoom, Ahmed Abdullah, Minister of Health who briefed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and Sri Lanka Officials on the current situation in the Maldives. Sri Lanka raised with the Envoy the question of the safety and treatment of those arrested and expressed the hope that their cases would be processed in accordance with national laws and international standards.

The Government of Sri Lanka welcomes the assurances given by the Special Envoy in that respect and that the detainees will be humanely treated.

The Government of Sri Lanka is pleased to note the constitutional reforms announced by President Gayoom in June 2004. The Government hopes that the proposed reforms which are intended to promote participatory parliamentary democracy and human rights, would be pursued to a conclusion that meets the aspirations of all concerned parties and groups. It is important that conditions are created that would encourage free expression of opinion through peaceful means.

The Government encourages all parties to work peacefully towards that end. As a friendly neighbour Sri Lanka believes that such timely changes which reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people will bring about long-term peace, stability and development in the Maldives".

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