Senior Political Director at the Homeland Security Ministry, Fathimath Rifaath, has deleted a Facebook post in which she mocked Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his official state visit to the Maldives.

Rifaath on Monday shared a photograph of President Dissanayake with President Mohamed Muizzu at the official welcoming ceremony in Malé, captioning it, “Lucky, you didn’t wear a sarong.”

The post prompted a response from Mariam Shiuna, a close associate of President Muizzu, who called for disciplinary action against officials making derogatory remarks about the visiting head of state.

“I call for action against all those who insulted the President of Sri Lanka while in government positions,” Shiuna wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Shiuna, who was previously suspended as a deputy minister for making insulting remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January, currently holds a senior position at Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

She was among three deputy ministers — along with Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid — suspended on 7 January 2024 over social media posts targeting Modi. All three later resigned and were subsequently appointed to positions at state-owned companies with equivalent or higher pay. (South Asian Affairs)