A Maldivian family has been arrested in Sri Lanka.

Director of Communications at the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, Miuwan Mohamed, has confirmed the arrested to One Online.

He said that the Maldivian High Commission in Sri Lanka has been informed that three members of a family in Sri Lanka without a visa for a long time, have been arrested by Sri Lankan authorities. And the Consular assistance is being provided to them.

Miuwan said that it is unclear at time the as to the exact date they were taken into custody nor the duration they have been living in the country without a visa.

Sri Lankan authorities have arrested Maldivian families and individuals living without visa on previous occasions as well.

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry has been advising Maldivians abroad to renew their visas on a timely manner and abide by the laws and regulations of the nations they reside in.