The Ministry of Social and Family Development says its actions in the case involving singer Mariyam Maeesha (Raalhu Mariyanbu) were in line with standard child protection procedures and not intended to defame her.
Maeesha, in a post on X on Thursday, said her sister received a call from the Ministry claiming she had a two-year-old child they intended to take into custody based on an anonymous report. Maeesha confirmed she does not have a child and said the Ministry did not contact her directly. She attempted to clarify the matter by calling the Ministry, but said her calls went unanswered.
In an interview with an online newspaper, Maeesha said the report was first made to a local council, then passed to the police, and finally to the Ministry. She expressed concern that the incident had sparked damaging rumors and harmed her reputation.
Deputy Minister Mariyam Lahufa told Sun that the Ministry follows a strict protocol when investigating child-related reports.
“When such a case comes, our priority is to make sure that nothing like that has been happening to the child. We can only do that by doing a home visit, and that is what we did in this case too,” she said.
Lahufa explained that when a report is first received, the Ministry may not have full details about the individual involved. The protocol is designed to ensure that no child is harmed, even if the report later proves to be unfounded.
She emphasized that the Ministry does not disclose personal information or take actions that could damage reputations.