Cannot support bringing foreign Covid-19 victims to be buried in the Maldives: Maumoon

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has stated that he does not support bringing bodies of foreign Covid-19 victims to be buried in the Maldives.

President Maumoon’s statement came at a time when bodies of Covid-19 victims are being cremated in neighboring Sri Lanka. Amid protests by Sri Lankan Muslims regarding cremation, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested Maldivian authorities to facilitate the burial of Sri Lankan Muslims who die from Covid-19 in the Maldives. In regards to this request, the Maldivian government has released a statement that the concerned authorities are looking into the request made by the Sri Lanka leader.

President Maumoon tweeted tonight saying that irrespective of their nationality and faith visitors are welcome in the Maldives. However, he subsequently said that he does not support bringing dead bodies of foreign Covid-19 victims to be buried in the Maldives.
Although President Maumoon hasn’t mentioned Sri Lanka in his tweet, it is possible that the former President’s tweet was a response to the Maldivian government's statement regarding the issue.