President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has established the Secretariat of the Addu Meedhoo Council and the Secretariat of the Addu Hulhudhoo Council, restructured the Secretariat of the Addu City Council, and abolished the South Thiladhunmathi Hirimaradhoo Council, its Secretariat, all Atoll Councils, and all Atoll Council Secretariats, on 17 May 2026.
The changes were announced in Directive No. 12/2026, issued by the President’s Office.
The Directive implements measures pursuant to Presidential Decrees No. 33/2025 and 34/2025, which established separate island councils for Addu Meedhoo and Addu Hulhudhoo. It also restructures the Addu City Council to comprise Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Feydhoo. The Secretariat of the Addu City Council has been restructured accordingly.
The Directive further specifies the official names and reference numbers to be used in all official communications relating to the newly established administrative areas:
• Secretariat of the Addu Meedhoo Council, Addu Atoll – 1140
• Secretariat of the Addu Hulhudhoo Council, Addu Atoll – 1141
Directive No. 12/2026 also abolishes the South Thiladhunmathi Hirimaradhoo Council and the Secretariat of the South Thiladhunmathi Hirimaradhoo Council.
In addition, the Directive provides for the abolition of all Atoll Councils and all Atoll Council Secretariats, effective 17 May 2026, in accordance with the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act.
The amendment stipulates that Atoll Councils are to be dissolved upon the assumption of office by councillors elected in the first local council election held following the ratification of the amendment.