Cases of two Maldivians under Sri Lankan Police custody has been sent to the court, after 12 Maldivians were taken into custody last night in a nation-wide operation.

Foreign Ministry previously revealed that those who were taken into custody due to visa and passport issues such as expired visas and passports.

All but the two Maldivian men who has been prosecuted have now been released from custody.

Foreign Ministry noted that one of the men had stayed over 09 months after expiration of his visa, and had a passport that had expired eight months ago. The second man is being charged for importing banned cigarettes into Sri Lanka and not carrying any identification or his passport with him.

Among those taken under custody last night include three minors and their mother. They were taken into custody after being unable to provide their passports after a search of their residence. They were released after providing the documentation that proves that their passport is with the Immigration for visa renewal purposes.

One woman who overstayed one day of her visa has been released as well as a woman who stayed over six months after visa expiration has been released on bail, and fined.

Sri Lanka stepped up their security following the April 21 terror attacks that rocked the nation last year. The government had appealed all foreigners to carry identification and their passports with them at all times, and to keep passports readily available in the event of an unwarranted search by the authorities.

The Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka has also on numerous occasions asked to be vary of these rules.