Core Democratic Values

Fundamental Beliefs

Life: A person's right to life can't be violated except if your life or the lives of others is threatened.

Liberty: This includes personal freedom, political freedom, and economic freedom. This is the freedom for people to gather in groups. They have their own beliefs, ideas and opinions. People also have the right to express their opinions in public.

• Personal Freedom - the right to think and act without government control.
• Political Freedom - the right to participate in political process.
• Economic Freedom - the right to buy, sell and trade private property and the right to employment without the government interfering.

The Pursuit of Happiness: As long as you don't interfere with others you have the right to seek happiness in your own way.

Common Good: Working together for the welfare of the community or the benefit of all.

Justice: All people should be treated fairly in both the benefits and the obligations of society. No individual or group should be favored over another person or group.

Equality: Everyone has the right to Political, Legal, Social and Economic Equality. Everyone has the right to the same treatment regardless of race, sex, religion, heritage, or economic status.

Diversity: The differences in culture, dress, language, heritage and religion are not just tolerated, but celebrated as strength.

Truth: They should expect and demand that the government not lie to them and the government should disclose information to the people. The government and its people should not lie.

Popular Sovereignty: The power of the government comes from the people. The people are the ultimate authority over the government.

Patriotism: The people or citizens show a love and devotion for their country and the values. They can show this by words or by actions.

Constitutional Principles

Rule of Law: Both the people and the government must obey all laws.

Separation of Powers: The executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government should be separate institutions so no one branch has all of the power.

Representative Government: People have the right to elect others to represent them in the government.

Checks and Balances: The powers of the three branches of government, executive, legislative and judicial, should be balanced. No one branch should be dominated. Each branch should have powers to check the actions of the other branches.

Individual Rights: Each individual has the fundamental right to life, liberty, economic freedom and the pursuit of happiness. These rights are outlined in the Bill of Rights and the government should protect these rights and not place undo restrictions upon them.

Federalism: The states and the federal government share power as outlined by the Constitution.

Civilian Control of the Military: The people control the military to preserve democracy.

މާޒީގައި ތިބާއަށް ހެދިފައިވާ ގޮސްތައް ފޮރުވަންނޫޅެ، ރިވެތި މާފަކުން މާފަށް އެދި ކުރިއަށް ދަމާ ހިނގާށެވެ.

ޝައްކެތްނެތެވެ. ކުށްކުރުމާއި، ކުށަށް އަރައިގަތުމަކީ އިންސާނީ ތަބީޢްޔަތުގައި ﷲ ލައްވަވާފައިވާ ކަންތައްތަކެވެ. ނަމަވެސް ކުށަށް އަރައިގަތުން ދުރުހެލިކުރުވުމަށްޓަކައި ވަކި އިންތަކަކާއި މިންތަކެއް ދީނުގައި ކަނޑައަޅުއްވާފައިވެއެވެ. އާދެ، އިސްލާމީ ރިވެތި އަޙުލާގާއި ސުލޫކެވެ. ކުށަށް އަރައިގަނެވޭ ކޮންމެ ފަހަރަކު ކުށުން ބަރީއަވުމުގެ ބަދަލުގައި އެކަމުން ދުރުހެލިވުމަށް މަސައްކަތްކުރުމަކީ ހަމަ ކޮންމެ މީހަކުމެ ކުރަންޖެހޭނެކަމެކެވެ. ދިރިއުޅުމުގެ ކޮންމެ މައިދާނެއްގައިވެސް ކަންއޮތީމިހެންނެވެ.

ދިރިއުޅުމުގެ މައިދާނުގައި ހަމަ ކޮެންމެ އިންސާނަކީވެސް ތަފާތު ތަޖްރިބާތަކެއް ކުރާނެ އިންސާނެކެވެ. އުފާވެރި ވަގުތުތަކާއި، ހިތާމަވެރި ވަގުތުތަކެވެ. ކާމިޔާބުގެ ވަގުތުތަކާއި، ނާކާމިޔާބުގެ ވަގުތުތަކެވެ. ރުޅިވެރިކަމާއި، ހަސަަދަވެރިކަމުގެ ވަގުތުތަކެވެ. މި ހުރިހާ ސިފަތަކަކީވެސް އިންސާނާގެ ކިބައިގައި ލައްވާފައިވާ ސިފަތަކެެވެ. ނަމަވެސް އަޅުގަނޑުމެންގެ މައްޗަށް އެންމެ އެދެވެ ގޮތަކަށްވާނީ މިއިން ކޮންމެ ހާލަތެއްގައިވެސް ހިތްތިރިކޮށް އެކަންކަމާއި މެދު ހިކުރމަތްތެރިކަމާއި އެކު ވިސްނާ ފިޔަވަޅުއެޅުމެެވެ. ނުރަނގަޅުކަންކަމަށް ހުޅުވިފައިވާ މަގުތަށް ބަންދުކުރުމެވެ. ހެޔޮލަފަޔާއި އިރުޝާދު ދެއްވާ ބޭފުޅުންގެ އަޑުއެހުމާއި އެއިން އިބްރަތް ހާޞިލްކުރުމެވެ.

ހަމަ އެހެންމެ ތިމާގެ އަމިއްލަ ނަފްސު އިސްލާހުކުރުމަށް އެދޭ ތިމާގެ މައްޗަށް ވެރިކަން ކުރަންތިބި މީހުންވެސް ހެޔޮމަގުގައި ތިބުމަށް ބާރުއެޅުމަކީ ވަރަށް މުޙިއްމުކަމެކެވެ. ޤައުމީ ފެންވަރުގައިވިޔަސް، އަދި ރަށުފެންވަރުގައިވިޔަސް މިކަން އޮތީ މިހެންނެވެ. ފަހަރެއްގައިވެސް މާޒީގައި މީހަކު ކަމެއް ގޯސްކޮށް ކޮށްފައި އޮތުމުން ނުވަތަ ވަކި ކަމެއް ނުކޮށް ދޫކޮށްލާފައި އޮތުމަކުން އަޅުގަނޑުމެން އެމީހަކާއި ނުވަތަ އެބަޔާކާއި މެދު ހަސަދަވެރިވާކަށް ނުޖެހެއެވެ. މިއަދު ލިބޭ ކާމިޔާބަކީ ދާދިއަވަހަށް ނާކާމިޔާބާ ކުރިމަތިލާން ޖެހިދާނެ އެއްޗެކެވެ. ކާމިޔާބުގެ ކުރިމަތީގައި އަޅުގަނޑުމެން އަދާވާތްތެރިވެއްޖެނަމަ، ލިބިފައިވާ ކާމިޔާބު ދާދިއަވަހަށް ބަދަލުވެގެން ހިނގާދާނެއެވެ. އަދި މާޒީގައި ގޯސްހަދާފައިވާ މީހުން ހަދާފައިވާ ގޯސްތައް ރަނގަޅުކުރުމަށް އޭރަކުން ފުރުޞަތެއް ނޯންނާނެއެވެ. ބަދަލު ހިފުމުގެ ރޫހުގައި އަދި އެކަމުގެ ބަރުހެލިކަމުގައި އުޅެންޖެހިއްޖެނަމަ، ދެން އަޅުގަނޑުމެން ހާޞިލްކުރެވޭނެ އެއްވެސް ކަމެއް ނޯންނާއެވެ.

މިދަނޑިވަޅުގައި އަޅުގަނޑުމެން ވިސްނަންވި މުޙިއްމު ނުކުތާއަކީ، ގޯސްކަމެއް ކުރިމީހަކު ނުވަތަ ބަޔަކު އެކަމެއް ކުރަން މާޒީގައި ފުރުޞަތު ލިބުނީ ކިހިނެއްތޯއެވެ؟ އެކަންކަން ބަލައި ހެދުމަށްފަހު އަޅުގަނޑުމެން އެކަން އެގޮތަށް ހިނގާފައިވަނީ އަޅުގަނޑުމެންގެ ތެރޭގައި އޮތް ނިޒާމެއްގެ ސަބަބުން ކަމުގައިވަނީ ނަމަ ނިޒާމް ރަނގަޅުކުރަންވީއެވެ. އޭރުން ކުރިއަށްތަނުގައި އެހެން މީހަކަށް ނުވަތަ ބަޔަކަށް އިތުރުގޯސްތަކެއް ހެދުމަށް އުނދަގޫވެގެންދާނެއެވެ. ނަމަވެސް މީހެއްގެ ހައްޤަކަށް ނުވަތަ ބަޔެއްގެ ހައްޤުތަކަކަށް އަރައިގެންފައިވާކަން ސާބިތުވާނަމަ ޝަރުޢީ ކޯޓްތަކުން އެކަމެއް ނިންމަންވީއެވެ. ފަހަރެއްގައިވެސް މަގުމަތިން އަދާލާތު ހިންގަން އުޅެގެންނުވާނެއެވެ. ފިތުނައާއި ހަސަދައިގެ އަލިފާނަކީ އަނދަ އަނދާ ހުންނަ އަލިފާނަށްވުރެ ގަދަފަދަ އެއްޗެއްކަން ދަންނަވާނެއެވެ. އަދި އަޅުގަނޑުމެންނަށް ދުނިޔެ ދައްކާ މަގު ދަންނަވާނެއެވެ.

ކޮންމެ ނަޒަރިއްޔާތަކުން ވިސްނި ނަމަވެސް އަޅުގަނޑުމެން ޤަބޫލުކުރަންޖެހޭ ހަޤީގަތަކީ ބަދަލު ހިފަން ނިކުމެއްޖެނަމަ އެކަމުގެ ރޫޙު، ސުލްހަވެރިކަމުގެ ރޫހަށްވެސް ގަދަވާނެކަމެވެ. އަދި ކޮންމެ ބަދަލުހިފުމަކުން އިތުރު އެތަކެއް އިންސާނީ މުސީބާތްތަކަށް ދޮރުހުޅުވިގެންދާނެކަމެވެ. ނަމަވެސް ސުލްހަވެރިކަމުގެ މަގި އިހުތިޔާރުކޮށްފިނަމަ ކާމިޔާބާއި ފަލާހު އޮތީ ދާދިގާތުގައެވެ. ރައްކާތެރިކަމުގެ އައްސޭރި ފެންނަ ހިސާބުގައެވެ. އަމާން މުޖުތަމައުމެގައި އުޅުމުގެ އުފާވެރިކަން އިހްސާސްކުރެވޭނެއެވެ. ރައްކާތެރިކަމަކީ އެންމެގެ މިލްކެކެވެ.

ކަޅުހަން – ރަށްރަށުގައި ދިރިއުޅޭ ރައްޔިތުންގެ ގޮތް ނޭގޭ ބޯފެން އިސްކުރު

"ކަޅުހަމާއި ދިވެހިންގެ ބޯފެން" މި ސުރުޙީގެ ދަށުގެން މީގެ ދުވަސްކޮޅެއް ކުރީން އިންޓަރނެޓްގައި ޝާއިޢުކުރެވުނު ލިއުމުގައި ބަލާލާފައިވާނީ، ބޯފެނާއި ގުޅޭގޮތުން ހަރުދަނާ ސިޔާސަތެއް ނެތްކަމާއި، ފެނުގެ ސަލާމަތާއި ރައްކާތެރިކަމަށް ދެވޭ ސަމާލުކަން ކުޑަކަމުގެ މައްޗަށެވެ.

މިފަހަރު މި ބަލާލަނީ ރަށްރަށުގެ ރައްޔިތުން ބުއިމަށާއި ކެއްކުމަށް މައިގަނޑުގޮތެއްގައި ބޭނުންކުރަމުން އަންނަ ވާރޭފެނުގެ ޞިއްޙީ މިންގަނޑުތަކަށެވެ. ނުވަތަ ފެނުގެ ކޮލިޓީއަށެވެ. ވަކިން ޚާއްޞަކޮށް ރަށްރަށުގެ ފުރާޅުތަކުން ނަގާ ވާރޭފެން ނެގުމާއި އެ ރައްކާކުރުމުގައި ފެނަށް އައިސްދާނެ ނުވަތަ އަންނަމުންދާ ބަދަލުގެ މައްޗަށެވެ.

ރައްކާތެރި ސާފު ބޯފެން ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ފޯރުކޮށްދިނުމަށް ފެން މިނިސްޓްރީގެ ސިޔާސަތަކީ ގޭގެއަށް ކަޅުހަން ބެހުންކަމަށްހާދާ، ކޮންޓްރެކްޓް އުސޫލުން ބޮޑުއަގުގައި ކަޅުހަން ގަނެ އާގުބޯޓްފަހަރުގައި ގެންގޮސް ރަށްރަށުގެ ފަރުން ބޭރަށް މިހަންތައް ދޫކޮށްލުމުން ގޮޑުދޮށުގައި ތިބެ ފަރުތޮޅި ބާނާހެން ރައްޔިތުން އެއްގަމަށް އަރުވަންޖެހޭ މިހަންތަކަށް، މިލިއަނުން ޚަރަދުކުރާއިރު، މިތާނގީތަކަށް ނަގާ ފެނުގެ ސަލާމަތާއި ރައްކާތެރިކަމަށް ލޯލާރިވެސް ޚަރަދުކުރާތަނެއް ނުފެނެއެވެ. ވޭތުވެދިޔަ 30 އަހަރުގެ ދިގު މުއްދަތުގައި އޭރުވެސް އަދި މިހާރުވެސް ފެން މިނިސްޓްރީއިން ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ވިސްނާ ދެމުން އަންނަނީ، ރަށްރަށުގެ ފުރާޅުންނާއި ފެން ވަޅުތަކުން ލިބެންހުނަ ފެނުގެ ޞިއްޙީމިންގަނޑު ޑަބްލިޔޫ.އެޗް.އޯ ނުވަތަ ދުނިޔޭގެ ޞިއްޙަތު ޖަމްޢިޔާގެ މިންގަނޑުތަކުގައި ހިފެހެއްޓިފައި ހުންނަކަމުގައެވެ. މި ފެނަކީ ރައްކާތެރިފެން ކަމުގައެވެ.

ފެންނަގާ ފުރާޅު، ފުރާޅުގެ ދިޔަދޮވި ނުވަތަ ފެން ރައްކާކުރާ ތާނގީތެރޭގައި މަރުވެ ކުނިވެފައި އޮންނަ މީދާ، ބުޅާ ނުވަތަ ބުޅަލެއްގެ އެއްފައި ނުވަތަ މިނޫންވެސް މިފަދަ ޖަނަވާރެއް އޮވެމެ ތާނގީއަށް ނެގޭ ވާރޭފެނުގެ ޞިއްޙީ މިންގަނޑު އެވިދާޅުވާ ދުނިޔޭގެ ޞިއްޙަތު ޖަމްޢިއްޔާގެ މިންގަނޑުތަކަށް ފެތޭނެތޯއެވެ. ވާރޭފެން ނަގާ މާޙައުލުގެ ޖައްވަކީ ތަފާތު ވިހަ ގޭހުގެ ސަބަބުން ކިލަނބުވެ ތަޢައްޔަރުވެފައިވާ މާޙައުލެއް ކަމަށް ވާނަމަ މިފެން އިންސާނުން ބުއިމަށް ރަށްކާތެރިވާނެތޯއެވެ. އާންމުކޮށް ވާރޭފެން ނަގާ ރައްކާކުރުމުގައި ބޭނުންކުރެވޭ މައިގަނޑު ވަޞީލަތަކީ ގޭގޭގެ ފުރާޅު، ދިޔަދޮވިއާއި ތާނގީއަށް ފެން ވާޞިލުކޮށްދޭ ހޮޅި(ގަޓަރ އެންޑް ޑައުން ޕައިޕް) އަދި ފެން ރައްކާކުރާ ތާނގީފަދަ ތަކެތި ކަމަށް ވީހިނދު މިތަކެއްޗަކީ ޞިއްޙީގޮތުން ފެނަށް ކިހާ ރައްކާތެރި އެއްޗެއްތޯ ބަލާލުމެއްނެތި، ތާނގީއަށް ފެންނެގުމަށްފަހު ކުޑަ ކުދީންނާއި، މާބަނޑު އަންހެނުންނާއި މުސްކުޅިން މިފެން ބުއިމަށް ބޭނުންކުރަން ޞިއްޙީގޮތުން ރައްކާތެރި ވާނެތޯއެވެ. ރަށްރަށުގައި ދިރިއުޅެމުންދާ ނިކަމެތި ރައްޔިތުން ބޯން ބޭނުންކުރަމުންދާ ވާރޭފެނުގައި، މިފަދަނޭދެވޭކަމެއް އުޅޭކަން ގިނަފަހަރަށް އެގެނީވެސް ފެނުގައި ކޮންމެވެސް ކުލައެއް ނުވަތަ ހުތްފޮނި ރަހައެއް ނުވަތަ މިނޫންވެސް ނޭދެވޭ ބަދަލެއް ފެނުގައި ހުންނަ ކަމުގެ އިޙުޞާސްތައް ވުމުންނެވެ. މިކަން އެގޭއިރު ގިނަފަހަރަށް ގޭގައި ދިރިއުޅެމުންދާ ކުދިބޮޑު އެންމެންނަށް އެތައްސަތޭކަ ލީޓަރު ފެން ހުނަނީ ބޮވިފައެވެ. ތެދެކެވެ. ވާރޭފެން ނެގުމުގެ ކުރީން ފުރާޅު ދޮވެ ސާފުކުރުމަކީ ރަގަޅުކަމެކެވެ. ދިޔަދޮވި ސާފުކުރުމަކީ ރަގަޅުކަމެކެވެ. ދިޔަދޮވި އާއި ފުރާޅު މޮޅު ޓިނުން އެއްކޮށް ބަދަލުކޮށްލުމަކީ އަދި މާރަގަޅުކަމެކެވެ. ތާނގީތެރެ ބަލާލުމަކީ ރަގަޅުކަމެކެވެ. ނަމަވެސް، ވާރޭ ވެހިގަންނައިރު ފުރާޅުދޮވެ ސާފުކުރެވޭނީ ސާފުކުރެވޭނެގޮތް ހުރެގެން ނުންތޯއެވެ. ވާރޭފެން ނެގުމުގެ ކުރީން ފުރާޅުދޮންނާށޭ ބުނެ، އަޑުގެ ކޮޅަށް ޓީވީ ސްޕޮޓްތަކާއި ޑްރާމާތައް ކުޅުނަސް، ގޭގައި ހުންނަ ކުޑަދަރިފުޅުގެ ބައްޕަ މަހައްގޮސް ކަނޑުމަތީގައި ހުންނަ ވަގުތުގައި ވެހިގަންނަ ވާރޭފެން ފޮދު ނެގުމަށް ފުރާޅުސާފުކުރަން، ގޭގައި އެވަޤުތު އިންނަ މުސްކުޅި މާމައަށް ފުރާޅުމައްޗަށް އެރޭނެތޯއެވެ. ގޭގައި އިން ދެ އަހަރުގެ ތުއްތު ދަރިފުޅަށް ފުރާޅުމައްޗަށް އެރޭނެތޯއެވެ. ގޭގައި އިން ބަލިޙާލު ބޮޑު އާބޭބީ އަކަށް ބަލިވެ އިން ކުޑަދަރިފުޅުގެ މަންމައަށް ފުރާޅުމައްޗަށް އެރޭނެތޯއެވެ. އެވަގުތު ފުރާޅާއި ތާނގީ ހުންނާނީ ދާއިމީ ގުޅުމަކުން ގުޅާލެވިފައެވެ. ވެހޭ ހުރިހާ ފެނެއް އެޅޭނީ ތަނގީ ތެރެއަށެވެ.

How much can we expect from new government?

Well, our hopes are sky high with newly formed government and the question here is how much can we expect from the new government? Yes, we’ve been neglected from very basic needs for more than 30 years or so. Needless to talk about the condition of human rights and social injustice we’ve been gone through.

It would not be fair if we think all these things could be solved within a day or so. We must know that “CHANGE” is not a process of a day or one year. It is a process that lasts forever. Yes, change has come to Maldives and all we need to do is maintain the change and try reaching our goals. For this we need to understand certain things;

1. We must know that the previous government was an autocratic regime where everything is controlled by one person or more like a monarch. Therefore, to strengthen democratic values will take a fair period of time and we must all accept it.

2. Every campaign comes and ends with lot of promises and we must be clever enough to know that all promises can’t be fulfilled as speedier we expect. Especially, our economy is totally dried and this would be the greatest challenge the new government may face.

3. There is no miracle solution found anywhere in the world for where there are social injustice, bad human right records, vice versa. Therefore, we must know that, in a democratic society, criticism is most evident and must learn how to tolerate the criticisms you may face from free media.

4. The Parliament, the Judiciary and the Administrative power are divided and are watchful on each other.

Dear Friends,

I will use this blog to bridge the gap between myself and people who has interest in politics and as a medium of communication to share views and thoughts.

As I am chief spokesperson of Islamic Democratic Party (IDP), you will be able to know different perspective of the party about the political issues. Remarks and comments are most welcome and I request all the users not to comment on things that may harass individual rights or public as whole.

Any comments or remark that can be considered as harassment will not be published.

IS OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

Note: This article was published on 38^th Edition of Goveli Weekly on 26th April 2007

Ismail Hassan Manik / Ummeedh, Thimarafushi

Its time for a new batch of young children to find their destiny with the release of GCSE and Advance level results again. The Ministry of Education has announced the top ten students and the school with the best academic performance. A well decorated ceremony was held to reward these successful students and a cabinet Minister handed over the prizes. A speech was given to praise these successors and they are considered as role models bringing recognition and pride to the nation. And this year the Education Minister has announced that a Maldivian student was selected among the world’s top ten performers who sat GCSE exam last year. Obviously this has made news headlines of all local papers.

I have been asking myself is it fair to judge our educational system based on these successors while the majority of our students are left behind with no option to decide their own future? I wonder whether our educational system is really working! On the other hand, whether our educational system is good enough to build better career opportunities. I wonder why no one has ever questioned about overall performance of our pupils in GCSE and Advance Level Examinations. What is the overall pass rate compared to the previous year? And what percentage of pupils has got C grade and above? How well schools in the atolls are performing compared to the schools in Male’ and what is the best and least performed subjects? To be honest every year approximately 12% is able retain their studies and 80% are just failures. We need these information from the Minister so that we can really judge how well our schools are performing. Education Ministry cannot be an institute that builds schools and reward the high achievers. They need to identify what are the weaknesses in our education system and work on to increase the overall performance. They need to provide equal facilities to island schools as that of schools based in Male. Just a thought- wouldn’t it be a good idea to have a non-governmental independent body to take responsibility to inspect and monitor all schools in the Maldives? If such an authority is established, they must be given authority to monitor relevant departments in the Education Ministry and teacher training sector as well. And the Ministry needs to be more decentralized, and department heads should be empowered to bring necessary changes as well. We need to have capable, motivated and qualified people leading each department of the Education Ministry. Now this is high time for such changes and do unfinished jobs.

My next concern is what shall we do with those who did not do well in their GCSE and Advanced Level? Do we have to ask them to re-sit exams, again and again or just simply ignore them? Obviously, we cannot ignore them. The only way is to provide them with a wider range of subjects in GCSE and Advanced Level as a choice. Providing, them with opportunities to gain wider range of vocational training and creating more opportunities to join apprenticeship programs to gain qualification while on training and also better career guidance programs.

It’s a big shame that no one have raised their voices and questioned the real issue facing us. Either be it education, health or housing in a professional and effective manner. I wonder why the elected members in the parliament have not raised these simple and very basic questions and challenge the government policies and strategies on education in the parliament to bring changes to improve the current education system, only for the betterment of our future generation! It is not right to, send your children to western and eastern countries to seek education and keep quiet, with blind eyes and deaf ears as you have been doing it for the past many years, while ordinary and poor people’s children’s are left to suffer in this education system.

WHY COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES ARE INCREASING? “NO MAJOR INFLATION RISK ACCORDING TO PLANING MINISTRY”

Note: This article was published on 38^th Edition of Goveli Weekly on 10^th May 2007

By: Ismail Hassan Manik

What does Consumer Price Index (CPI) means?

In economics, a consumer price index (CPI) or retail price Index (RPI) is a statistical time-series measure of a weighted average of prices of a specified set of goods and services purchased by consumers. It is a price index that tracks the prices of a specified basket of consumer goods and services, providing a measure of inflation. The CPI is a fixed quantity price index and considered by some a cost-of-living index.

The CPI can be used to track changes in prices of goods and services purchased for consumption by households, i.e., of the consumer basket. User fees (such as water and sewer service) and sales and excise taxes paid by the consumer are also included. Income taxes and investment items (such as stocks, bonds, life insurance, and homes) are not included. In countries with a higher than average indirect tax system the CPI is used along side a RPI that includes a more accurate reflection of cost of living.

According to statistics of Planning Minis-try, it is believed that inflation has been controlled in the Maldives Economy. But as a matter of fact, what we see today is, the cost of goods and services are increasing constantly day by day. Taking into account the rapid increases in prices, public is not in position to accept this increase.

Let's look at the recent statistics released on March, comparing the inflation rate in February; there was a 0.4% increase in inflation. Inflation on Food items has increased 0.73% in March, when compared to February. Rents, transportation costs and household items have all increased in March compared to February.

Post tsunami, (2004 and 2005) inflation rate has risen up to 6.3% in the Maldives. But in 2006, the official statistics shows that there was a 3.5% decline in inflation rate. Some economists argue that, it is not a decline in inflation rate. “It does not mean that inflation rate has declined by comparing 6.3% inflation rate of 2005which has fallen up to 3.5% in 2006. Rather, it means that in 2004 purchasing power of money has fallen up to 6.3% and again in 2006 additional 3.5% has fallen and altogether inflation rate has risen up to 9%. ” As quoted by an economist “It can’t be true that we don’t have inflation problem and I think the official statistics are incorrect. Cost of Goods and services are increasing day by day. Therefore I feel we have the inflation problem.” As quoted by an employee of a private company.

According to some of the businessmen, It is hard to believe that inflation is the major reason why cost of goods and services are increasing. There is inflation in the countries from where we mostly import goods from! Countries like, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand has been experiencing inflation problems, and consequently, the cost of goods and services has increased accordingly. Maldives solely depends on imports. Therefore, increase in cost of our goods and services may have come from 'imported inflation'.

An official from trade ministry has said that, it is hard to believe that the cost of goods and services has increased due to inflation in the country of origin of imports. It may be a problem of some-thing else and cost of goods and services are now slowly declining.

In response to the quote from the trade ministry official, a retail owner said that, cost of goods and services has not fallen collectively. But those items which price has risen in the beginning of the year due to inadequate supply, has fallen to a reasonable price. This is not a solution for increase in cost of goods and services.