COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Two Swiss tourists who chose the Maldives’ white-sand beaches as the setting to renew their marriage vows were instead mocked by the officiator, who chanted abuse and curses in the local language at the unsuspecting couple.
The ceremony, posted on YouTube with English subtitles translating the abuse, has embarrassed the Maldives. President Mohammed Nasheed condemned it as “absolutely disgraceful.” Government apologies were swift.
Police arrested the celebrant and a helper — an apparent damage-control bid for the country whose economy is driven by tourism. Police spokesman Ahmed Shiyam said Friday that the two men under arrest were hotel employees.
In the video, posted Sunday, the officiator begins chanting in the Dhivehi language that “under penal code clause seven, forbidden fornication is now legal,” and he goes on to insult the couple, including calling them “swine.” The whole time he maintains a prayer-like, chanting tone.
“Most of the children you get will have spots on their skin,” he says. “Because of these spots your children will be considered illegitimate children.”
