On 18th December 2022, the first amendment to the Uninhabited Islands Act of Maldives (Law no. 25/2022) was ratified.  

The amendment grants island and city councils the power to control the leasing of uninhabited islands within their respective jurisdictions in accordance with the regulation that will be made under the Act.

The amendment also prohibits leaseholders from re-leasing, renting, and handing over the responsibility of maintaining the uninhabited island to another person. However, permitting leaseholders to take employees for maintenance works.

The amendment prohibits the leaseholders from taking anything from any person to enter or depart from the uninhabited island. 

Additionally, the Amendment also specifies instances where the lease agreements may be terminated.