Noonu Atoll Council fails to appear, Civil Court dismisses lawsuit against President’s Office

The Civil Court on Tuesday dismissed the case filed by the Noonu Atoll Council challenging the government’s decision to allocate Kendhivaru and Dhonaerikan’doodhoo islands for long-term tourism development.  

The council filed the lawsuit in 2023, arguing that the decision violated the Decentralization Act, which requires consultation with local councils. The council had passed a resolution opposing long-term leases without public consent, citing environmental sensitivity and community use of the islands.  

Civil Court Judge Ahmed Abdul Matheen dismissed the case after the council’s lawyers withdrew, saying their retainer agreement had expired. With no representatives present, the case could not proceed.  

Earlier, the court had declined to issue an interim injunction halting the handover, noting that Kendhivaru had already been leased to Damac Ocean Heights in December 2022, while Dhonaerikan’doodhoo was tied to a 2017 agreement with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for the Maafaru International Airport project.  

The state argued that cancelling these agreements would cause significant financial loss and undermine national interests.  

The council’s resolution also noted that both islands are still used by residents for picnics, recreation, and economic activities such as harvesting screw pines and dried palm fronds, in addition to being environmentally sensitive areas home to rare species.