Maldivian Foreign Ministry has said that nine of the 12 Maldivians that were taken in to the custody of the Sri Lankan Police last night has been released.

Director of Communications at the Foreign Ministry, Miuwan Mohamed said that a number of Maldivians were taken in custody in Sri Lanka in connection to various cases and five of them were taken for questioning only and were not arrested.

Maldivian Consular has been active at the Kohuwala Police Station since the arrests according to Miuwan and nine people have been released so far.

Foreign Ministry has not elaborated on the three people still in custody.

Sources have told One Online that their arrests are related to passport and visa issues.

Maldivian Foreign Minister has advised the Maldivians going abroad to keep their passports in possession when going out and carry the allocated permit if the passport is at the embassy or immigration.

The Ministry also advised to check the validity of the via when traveling abroad and respect the laws and regulations of the countries one is traveling.