Maldives' president unveils plans to relocate entire nation to Australia

PA

The president of the Maldives has revealed that his entire nation will one day become 'climate refugees' and have to be relocated to another country - because of rising sea levels.

President Mohamed Nasheed's government is considering Australia, Sri Lanka and India as potential relocation destinations, and revealed that the country has already got a sovereign wealth fund to buy land overseas for the predicted move.

Mr Nasheed told The Age: ''They are the talked-about countries, though we haven't necessarily had official conversations with these governments.''

According to the paper, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts a sea level rise of up to 59 centimetres over the next century, which would deluge most of the Maldives' inhabited atolls.

Sri Lanka and India are being considered as a new base because of their cultural similarities, while Australia is hailed for its sheer space and size.

The Indian Ocean nation is a top holiday destination for sun-seekers across the globe, and is particularly popular with honeymooners for its white-sand beaches and see-through turquoise sea.

In fact, Holly Valance's billionaire boyfriend recently proposed to her on a Christmas holiday in the beautiful paradise.

The news follows recent revelations that all of the country's luxury spas were closed down after claims they were 'anti-Islamic'.

The president has confirmed the spas have now been reopened.


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