Maldives President ratifies major legislative reforms

legislative reform land transport act foreign exchange regulation island allocation Maldives

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified several major legislative reforms in the Maldives. These include new frameworks for the management of uninhabited islands, where the executive branch will hold direct authority over the designation and allocation of state-owned land for commercial, industrial, and social use. Lease terms for these islands are set for up to 21 years, with potential extensions up to 50 years.

The reforms also address economic and transport sectors. New regulations impose stricter penalties on black-market foreign exchange activities and extend Goods and Services Tax (GST) requirements to foreign tour operators. Regarding the tourism sector, the President addressed concerns over new laws requiring resorts to deposit 40% of foreign exchange income into local banks, asserting that the system will prevent fraud and ensure legal compliance.

In Sri Lanka, authorities have successfully repatriated 66 suspects linked to organized crime and drug trafficking. This operation, conducted following investigations into 113 cases since September 2024, has resulted in the seizure of approximately 6 billion Sri Lankan rupees in assets, including cash, gold, land, and vehicles.

Entities

Anti-Corruption Commission · China · Greater Male Transport and Mobility · Greater Male’ Transport and Mobility · Maldives · Maldives Inland Revenue Authority · Ministry of Transport · Mohamed Muizzu · Nepal · People’s Majlis · Sri Lanka · Tibet

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The disaster resulted in 675 deaths in Nepal and Tibet.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Of the missing persons, 589 are reported to be foreign nationals.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The assistance includes food supplies for 10,000 households affected by the crisis for a period of three months.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 3,000 people are reported missing following the event.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The United States is providing $3.6 million in humanitarian assistance to Nepal.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 100 Americans are believed to be among the missing persons.
[○ 1 SOURCE] A glacier burst in a Himalayan slope caused sudden flooding, debris, and ice flows.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Sri Lankan authorities have repatriated 66 suspects involved in organized crime and drug trafficking. sun.mv
[○ 1 SOURCE] The law establishes the Greater Male Transport and Mobility office for a three-year period.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The GST amendment applies the ‘destination principle’ to foreign tour operators and travel agencies selling inbound tourism products in the Maldives.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities in Sri Lanka have seized assets worth 6 billion rupees during investigations into 113 cases since September 2024. sun.mv
[○ 1 SOURCE] President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the 8th amendment to the Goods and Services Tax Act.