Operation Kurangi Helps Identify Foreigners, Resolves Unidentified Body Cases, Minister Says

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan said Operation Kurangi is helping identify foreigners in the Maldives, addressing long-standing challenges such as unidentified bodies.

Speaking at a press conference in the President’s Office today, Minister Ihusaan provided updates on the nationwide initiative, launched last year, to update the biometric records of migrant workers whose data predates 17 November 2023.

He highlighted the introduction of a facial recognition app by the Maldives Immigration Services, designed to help enforcement officers identify individuals on the streets. 

“This was a recurring problem in the past, especially in the case of a dead body, as well as people who we arrest in various operations; it is difficult to identify who we have arrested,” the minister said.

The minister explained that the programme, scheduled for completion by 2 May 2027, will regularise migrant workers who have provided biometric data but lack a valid visa due to administrative issues. Individuals involved in criminal activities or conducting business illegally continue to face deportation.

Minister Ihusaan stated that biometric data has been collected from over 204,000 migrants. He clarified that this figure represents all records gathered, not necessarily the current population in the Maldives, as some individuals may cancel their visas or leave the country. New arrivals are now required to submit ten fingerprints and a facial recognition photo in accordance with regulations.

Operation Kurangi, Minister Ihusaan emphasised, aims to ensure all migrant workers in the Maldives are documented and compliant with national law, strengthening both security and administrative oversight.