Bryce Hutchesson, Australia's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Ambassador to the Maldives, has criticized the Local Government Authority (LGA) decision to suspend Councilors.

LGA slapped suspensions on Councilors of Gaaf Alif Atoll Council after they met Indian Ambassador to the Maldives, Akhilesh Mishra.

In a tweet posted, Hutchesson questioned on why the Councilors needed express permission from Home Ministry prior to meeting foreign diplomats, questioning on why was there was need for a ‘further step backwards’.

UK Ambassador to the Maldives and Sri Lanka James Dauris was the first foreign diplomat to criticize the decision, followed by his US counterpart, Athul Keshap.

The Ambassador met the Council Members on his trip to the island on the 11th of this month. In addition to the Indian Ambassador, the UK Ambassador had also visited the region, which prompted the LGA to release a statement, stating that Councils must seek express permission from the Authority prior to meeting any foreign delegates.

The Council maintains that their meeting had occurred before LGA circular and added that penalizing them for an action that predated the circular was illogical.

Following the circular, the Councilors were suspended without pay for a period of three months.