The planning ministry amended Hulhumalé's development control regulations, allowing buildings of up to 10 storeys (30.5 metres) on plots exceeding 901 square feet. Permitted height is tiered to plot size, ranging from one storey for plots under 400 sq ft to eight storeys for plots between 801–900 sq ft. Buildings taller than 18.5 metres must dedicate the ground floor to parking and the first floor to non-residential use. Neighbourhood 9 remains capped at 22 metres due to airport safety requirements.
Finance Minister Zameer assured that the US$ 500 million sukuk coupon payment due in April will be made on schedule, saying all disbursements and communications with agents are proceeding as planned. He declined to say how much would be refinanced or cleared with US$ 650 million set aside between the Sovereign Development Fund and usable reserves. Full details would be shared after the payment is completed on April 8, he said. Separately, the minister announced that Maldives Gas is expanding its storage capacity to hold two and a half months' supply for the Greater Malé area, up from the current 1,000-ton limit. Procurement has begun and the project is due for completion by year-end. Zameer said LPG supply was not a major concern as the same suppliers serving Sri Lanka and Bangladesh operate small vessels through the Maldives region.
Zameer revealed the first concrete austerity measure: all overseas travel by government ministries except the foreign ministry has been suspended unless externally funded, with officials told to participate in meetings online instead. He said the full fiscal plan cannot be published because it is "market sensitive" given the need to borrow, but key elements would be disclosed. Even if the war ends tomorrow, analysts estimate it would take four months to return to normal conditions, he said. Zameer said he cancelled his own trip to Abu Dhabi to sign the US$ 100 million rollover from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. A detailed plan estimating revenue losses identifying spending cuts will be submitted to President Muizzu within a week, he said.
The Maldives co-sponsored a UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning Iran's attacks on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan. Speaking at an urgent debate in Geneva, Maldives representative Dr Salma Rasheed also condemned Israeli and US strikes on Iran and called for an immediate ceasefire. The resolution describes Iran's attacks on the Gulf states as "unprovoked."
The Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission called on journalists and media outlets to exercise "responsible reporting" during the Middle East conflict, citing national security provisions in the code of ethics under the new media regulation law. The commission specifically invoked articles on maintaining national security, presenting factual content without distortion, and prohibiting manipulated or fabricated media intended to incite hatred.
The local government ministry ordered Ungoofaaru Council to reverse a decision barring non-residents from accessing the uninhabited Ungulaa island, after the move drew widespread public criticism. Minister Adam Shareef said no council can legally restrict public access to an island, though councils may set reasonable management guidelines. The controversy follows President Muizzu's decree placing Ungulaa under the Ungoofaaru Council's jurisdiction.
Three-bedroom flats built under the BML affordable housing scheme will cost around MVR 10,000 (US$ 650) per month on a rent-to-own basis, BML CEO Mohamed Shareef said, about a third of the MVR 25,000 to MVR 30,000 market rate. The 3,260 units across Hulhumalé Phase 1, Hulhumalé Phase 3, and Villimalé have been awarded to five contractors: CMEC (1,224 units), BUCG (1,190), Amin Construction (364), FW Construction (182), and Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (300). All are due for completion in 2028.
Resorts have begun cutting costs as occupancy drops up to 75 percent and diesel prices double to MVR 28.32 per litre, Adhadhu reported, citing multiple resort sources. Some resorts are cutting electricity to staff quarters for two to six hours daily during breaks. A five-star resort manager said bookings are being cancelled both because of travel difficulties and because guests lack confidence in reliable power supply. Sources warned that if conditions worsen, resorts may resort to unpaid leave and reduced meal quality. The low season from May to October looms, raising fears of prolonged damage to the industry.
The Supreme Court declined to hear a case seeking to annul a constitutional amendment to hold parliamentary and presidential elections together. The court said the petition did not meet criteria for constitutional cases. A separate case challenging the referendum question is scheduled for hearing.
The family ministry received 74 child abuse reports last month, with cases involving 40 boys and 34 girls. Neglect topped the list with 21 cases, followed by sexual abuse (13), physical abuse (12), and psychological abuse (11). The ministry's helplines logged 1,802 calls in total, including 1,418 to the Child Helpline 1412 and 384 to the Social Services Helpline 1421.
MACL introduced taxi pickup and drop-off zones at Velana International Airport's Terminal 2, which now handles domestic flights. The change follows complaints that domestic passengers had to walk to the distant Terminal 1 taxi queue after domestic operations were relocated to the former international terminal last month. The new arrangement provides four slots for drop-offs and five for pickups outside Terminal 2.
Starting April, civil servants who foster state-care children will receive special leave equivalent to maternity and paternity leave, Family Minister Dr Aishath Shiham announced. The move addresses complaints from foster families who struggled to balance work and hospital visits when taking in newborns. The ministry currently oversees 152 children in state care, two of whom were fostered last month.
The National Awards Committee opened nominations for this year's National Award across 39 categories, accepting submissions until April 30 at 2:00 PM through the President's Office portal at apply.presidency.gov.mv. Individuals, companies, organisations, and government bodies may all submit nominations directly without going through a government intermediary.
