Maldives News

Tourist arrivals decline in June

Tourist arrivals in June declined by -2.2 percent in June compared to the same period in 2014, but registered a marginal growth of 1.3 percent in the first half of 2015 compared to last year.

Lawyer shortlisted for Get Set loan scheme by mistake

High profile lawyer Maumoon Hameed has been shortlisted in the government’s flagship ‘Get Set’ youth entrepreneurship loan scheme despite never having submitted an application.

Terrorism charge against Nasheed must be overturned, says lawyers

The Prosecutor General must ask the High court to declare the terrorism charges he had filed against former President Mohamed Nasheed as invalid, lawyers have argued in a letter today.

Council by-elections cancelled after president ratifies changes to decentralisation law

The fifth amendment to the Decentralisation Act ratified by President Abdulla Yameen on Wednesday states that by-elections must not be held if an island, atoll, or city councillor resigns one year after the local council elections.

Bangladesh seeks stronger trade ties with Maldives

Seeking stronger trade relations with the Maldives, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry has requested the removal of trade barriers and suggested the opening of direct shipping links between Bangladesh and the Maldives.

Independence 50 commemorative note on sale

An MVR5,000 (US$325) commemorative note issued by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence has been put on sale.

Court withholds passport after Indian child abuse suspect flees

The High Court has issued today an order to withhold the passport of an Indian teacher suspected of sexually abusing several students a day after he fled the country.

Police investigating case of dead baby in Thulhadhoo

“The baby’s body was brought to Male’ for further investigation and buried soon afterwards. But we have no more information to give right now,” a police spokesperson said.

Youth group calls for referendum on foreign freeholds

A youth group has called for a march on August 7 to urging President Abdulla Yameen to hold a public referendum on a constitutional amendment that allows foreigners to own land in the Maldives.

Caterer dismisses complaints of poor quality, corruption in presidential banquet

A restaurant that catered the presidential banquet on Maldives’ Golden Jubilee of Independence has dismissed allegations of poor food quality and corruption.

Independence 50 lights to remain in place till August 10

President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim meanwhile opened a ‘LED Garden’ at the Sultan Park last night. The ‘Hulhudhaan’ exhibit features several artificial trees lit up with bright neon lights in the national colours of red, green and white.

Maldives placed back on US human trafficking watch list

“The government did not initiate any prosecutions and there were no convictions in 2014, a decrease from one conviction in 2013, and some officials warned businesses in advance of planned raids to investigate suspected trafficking offences or other labour abuses,” reads the US State Department’s 2015 Trafficking in Persons report.

President Yameen slams foreign interference in Independence Day address

Independence Day celebrations continue with children’s evening, pedestrian hours

Celebratory activities to mark the Maldives’ 50th anniversary of independence from the British continued in Malé today with a children’s evening at the Sultan Park and a three-hour ban on vehicles.

President Yameen seeks joint venture investments from Saudi Arabia

President Abdulla Yameen briefed a visiting delegation from Saudi Arabia this morning on investment opportunities in the Maldives and invited joint venture investments from the kingdom. The Saudi officials were among several dignitaries who arrived in the Maldives this week to attend an official function held last night to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence.

80-year-old man arrested on charges of sexually abusing eight-year-old girl

Local NGO Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has meanwhile expressed concern with the “hidden epidemic of child abuse that continues unabated in the country”. A total of 339 cases of child abuse were reported from January to June this year, ARC noted, which represented a significant increase compared to the 423 cases reported during the whole of 2014.

A lingering longing for self-rule

In Addu, on the eve of the Golden Jubilee of independence, stories of the short-lived United Suvadive Republic are told and retold and the longing for self rule lingers on.

Opposition MP Didi returns to Malé

Opposition MP and Rtd. Brigadier General Ibrahim Didi was seen at the July 26 midnight official flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day. He was flown to India for medical treatment amidst a terrorism trial.

Sri Lankan President Srisena arrives in Malé

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Srisena arrived in Malé today to attend an official function marking the Maldives’ golden jubilee of independence from the British.

China, India, UK congratulate Maldives on Golden Jubilee of Independence

Expressing his belief the Maldives will realize development under President Yameen, the Chinese President Xi said he would like to further strengthen ties. Indian Prime Minister Modi highlighted age-old ties between the Maldives and India, noting 2015 also marks the 50th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.