Maldives-Sri Lanka free zone, missing cats and MDP anniversary

Officials are in “advanced discussions” to establish a Maldives-Sri Lanka "Free Economic and Movement Zone" akin to the European common market with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake due to visit Malé in late July, Sri Lankan media reported, potentially allowing citizens to "live, work, study, own property, operate businesses, and access public services in each other’s territory without the need for visas or work permits."

About 300 stray cats in Malé disappeared without a trace over the past few months, an animal welfare group told Adhadhu, citing a drastic decline in the number of cats that come for daily feeding at the Marrybrown, industrial zone and Salman mosque areas. "We’re not seeing dead cats, nor any signs of violence or poisoning," the president of Feline Welfare told Mihaaru.

The opposition MDP celebrated its 20th anniversary with tea parties, a futsal tournament and the launching of a Youth Wing podcast at an event featuring live music.

Four people, including two minors, were injured in a dangerous accident in Raa Fainu, three of whom were to be transferred to Malé for treatment of severe injuries. A motorcycle driven by a minor with a student in the backseat crashed into two adults who were jogging, according to Fainu Online.

Appearing on Raajje TV, former president Solih refused to say whether he will seek the party's ticket for the 2028 election. Asked if he would contest in the presidential primary, Solih said MDP should focus on strengthening unity after the reconciliation with former president Nasheed's breakaway faction, advising other contenders to pause their campaigns for the present.

The RTL speedboat ferry service was introduced in Raa atoll, covering 15 inhabited islands and expanding to the 10th atoll as the president pledged to complete the nationwide network by the end of the year.

Maldivian students in Malaysia will be subject to a new six percent service tax on private education services. Kuala Lumpur is home to one of the largest Maldivian diaspora communities.

The Islamic ministry distributed MVR 5,000 (US$ 324) each to 2,852 people registered as poor and eligible for zakat (alms), up MVR 1,000 from the previous year. The government plans to introduce a medical insurance scheme for people on the registry who suffer from chronic illness, the Islamic minister announced.

As a guest of the MMPRC, Liverpool football club legend Dirk Kuyt made an appearance at the Maldives Food Carnival in Hulhumalé, signing autographs and posing for photos with fans.

The drug court claimed that 82 percent of people ordered to complete rehabilitation did not relapse. Of 5,148 cases concluded since the drug law came into force on December 31, 2011, the cases of 946 people were resubmitted to the court.