Sri Lanka, April 28 -- The Maldivian Government has asked Sri Lanka to make provision for special visas to encourage its citizens to stay without opting for alternative Asian countries.

Chief Government Spokesman of the Maldives, Mohamed Hussain Shareef yesterday said his Government has urged Sri Lanka to introduce special visa arrangements for Maldivian nationals to encourage them to stay in Sri Lanka instead of choosing alternative destinations such as South India or Malaysia.

"We have impressed upon the Sri Lankan Government to introduce a special visa arrangements to Maldivians visiting Sri Lanka to stay in the country than going for neighbouring countries such as South India and Malaysia.

Shareef made these remarks during a press ...