Colombo - A Maldivian court overturned the 19-month jail term of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Thursday, a month after the former president's estranged half-brother and jailer suffered a shock election drubbing.

Colombo - Maldives judges on Sunday heard a petition by strongman president Abdulla Yameen to have his recent election defeat annulled, potentially triggering US sanctions and plunging the archipelago into fresh turmoil.

Colombo - The United States warned Saturday that action could be taken against outgoing Maldives president Abdulla Yameen if he seeks to overturn his election defeat.

Colombo - The Maldives Supreme Court said Thursday it would examine President Abdulla Yameen's petition to annul his September election defeat despite international pressure on the strongman leader to go quietly.

Colombo - Maldives strongman President Abdulla Yameen filed a legal challenge Wednesday against his recent landslide election defeat despite international pressure for him to go quietly.

Colombo - The shock winner of the Maldives' leadership vote was declared president-elect on Saturday, with election authorities saying they received death threats to delay the final announcement of strongman Abdulla Yameen's decisive loss.

Colombo - The Maldivian opposition appealed to the international community Thursday to help ensure a peaceful transition of power amid fears that strongman Abdulla Yameen may cling onto power despite his shock election defeat.

Colombo - Outgoing Maldivian strongman Abdulla Yameen is delaying freeing high-profile political prisoners despite calls by his successor for their release, the opposition said Wednesday.

Colombo - Police armed with pickaxes and power tools have destroyed a modern artwork by a celebrated British sculptor in the Maldives, after the outgoing president in the tourist haven declared the installation offensive to Islam.

Colombo - Voters in the Maldives were watching nervously for President Abdulla Yameen's next move on Monday after the China-friendly strongman suffered a surprise election defeat, prompting celebrations but also concern in the Indian Ocean honeymoon islands.

Colombo - People in the Maldives vote Sunday in elections that international monitors and the opposition fear will be rigged to ensure that China-friendly strongman Abdulla Yameen remains in power.Yameen has imprisoned or forced into exile all his main rivals.

Colombo - Maldivian police raided the opposition campaign headquarters on Saturday, the opposition said, on the eve of Sunday's presidential election that international monitors fear will be rigged.

Colombo - Maldives strongman Abdulla Yameen seeks a second term as president Sunday in a tourist paradise that has become a battleground for influence between regional giants India and China, and a source of global alarm over political oppression and a muzzling ...

Colombo - Sri Lanka's president on Monday justified his decision to sack six diplomats -- including an ambassador -- for not answering his phone calls, saying more would follow if the foreign service did not shape up.

Colombo - The Maldives opposition has accused President Abdulla Yameen of covering up his attempt to "steal" this month's elections by denying access to foreign media.

Colombo - Animal sacrifices at Hindu temples could be banned in Sri Lanka under new plans announced Wednesday, after growing protests over the rituals from the country's Buddhist majority as well as moderate Hindus.

Colombo - Sri Lanka's president should suspend military and police officers implicated in the disappearance of thousands of civilians during the island's decades-long civil war, a state watchdog said Thursday.

Colombo - The main opposition leader in the Maldives vowed Monday to mobilise voters at home and abroad to overcome alleged rigging of next month's elections and topple strongman President Abdulla Yameen.

Colombo - Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse's chief of staff was indicted Friday for embezzling millions of dollars from a state insurance firm.

Colombo - The United States announced Monday it would grant Sri Lanka $39 million to boost maritime security as China develops its strategic hold on the Indian Ocean island.