Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Yumna Maumoon has stated that the administration made the necessary legal changes for the preservation of heritage sites.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Yumna said that consolidating the efforts to preserve Maldivian culture and heritage and ratifying the Heritage Act were huge accomplishments. She said that previously not enough was done to preserve all heritage sites but that the administration formed the heritage ministry and formulated the necessary laws, guidelines, and policies to standardise and empower the various departments.
Furthermore, Minister Yumna detailed the work done by the administration, including registering the heritage sites in the islands and registering cultural workers. She said that registration is not only limited to historical sites but that traditional sports, activities, and medicine are also registered.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ratified the Heritage Act in 2019 to ensure the documentation, preservation, and protection of cultural heritage. The act will also ascertain the procedures and jurisdictions of the state and individuals, as well as stipulate that acts resulting in the loss of items or sites of historical significance as criminal acts. The purpose of the act is to safeguard the perpetuation of items and sites of historical significance to future generations.