Speaking at a campaign event to open the ruling PNC's new office in Malé, President Muizzu pledged to prohibit safari vessels from anchoring within one kilometre of inhabited islands, citing illegal alcohol sales, and to introduce stricter dress codes for tourists staying at guesthouses to adhere to religious and cultural norms. Enforcement of the new regulations would fall to city and island councils, he said, urging voters to back ruling party candidates in April's local council elections, accusing the opposition MDP of promoting "irreligious activities" under a secular political ideology. In contrast, his administration has proposed criminalising gambling, shut down 104 illegal massage parlours in Malé, and introduced the death penalty for drug trafficking, Muizzu said. Electing opposition candidates would risk politicising local councils and diverting focus from municipal responsibilities, he argued.
Maldives High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Masood Imad complained to the Daily News about the alleged mistreatment of Maldivians by Sri Lankan Immigration officials. “I am perplexed as to why officials only consider those who arrive in Sri Lanka with fair skin as visitors,” he was quoted as saying. Maldivian students and parents are forced to wait for hours when they apply for visas in person whereas it is granted immediately when done through agents, he told the paper, adding that “the Maldivian government will be forced to revise its visa policy concerning Sri Lankan professionals working in various sectors within the Maldives.” Opposition lawmakers and commentators criticised the envoy's conduct. "Diplomacy isn’t done through the media" and concerns should be handled through proper channels, a former ambassador tweeted. Former President Nasheed meanwhile proposed removing border controls between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Ilmuveringe Gulhun, an association of religious scholars, filed a police complaint against former MP 'Reeko' Moosa Manik over remarks made at an opposition rally on Tuesday night. The former deputy speaker allegedly labelled scholars as apostates who employ religion as a political tool. The comments were dangerous and inflammatory, the group said, warning they could incite hatred against clerics and endanger their lives, citing the killing of Dr Afrasheem Ali. The remarks amounted to takfeer under the Anti-Terrorism Act and constituted a dangerous public accusation of apostasy, they contended.
Fuvahmulah City Council warned vessels to exercise caution when entering the island’s harbour after strong currents and waves near the lagoon channel caused at least two boats to run aground. Adverse weather in the southernmost atolls is currently complicating harbour entry for vessels.
The Civil Court delivered judgments in 6,718 cases last year, up 24 percent from 2024, according to statistics. It also registered 5,680 new cases, up 10 percent, and issued 126 procedural and jurisdictional rulings, along with 166 injunctions and court orders in 2025.
Velana International Airport suspended standard Visual Flight Rules operations and activated special procedures after visibility fell below 2km. Special VFR operations permit flights within controlled airspace under reduced visibility, provided pilots maintain visual reference with the surface and receive explicit air traffic control clearance. Such procedures are meant to be exceptional rather than routine, Aviators Maldives noted. Seaplane operations – which rely entirely on VFR – are particularly affected by the haze as the planes fly at low altitudes, close to terrain, and often in congested, partly uncontrolled airspace.
