The government has decided to transfer "Hope Island" to the Uthuru Thila Falhu to cut costs.

"Hope Island" is being developed to rehabilitate school children and young people involved in gangs and other crimes. The government previously planned to build the facility in Dhaalu Vaanee island.

However, the presidential decree issued on Friday to raise funds for government projects says "Hope Island" will be developed in Uthuru Thila Falhu.

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan told Adhadhu that the government estimates a large number of children would need to be housed in the facility.

The costs of transport and other matters would be higher when the facility is established in Vaanee, he added.

"So we later submitted to the cabinet and decided to move Hope Island and the Central Jail to the same area. To the area to be reclaimed in Uthuru Thila Falhu," Ihusaan said.

"Hope Island" was previously planned to be developed as a separate island. But Ihusaan said it will now be developed in a designated area of the land to be reclaimed in Uthuru Thila Falhu.

Although no investor has been found for the project so far, the government is working to hand over the project within the next month, he said.

The government's decision to change the location came after the drawings were completed to build the facility in Vaanee.

Meanwhile, the presidential decree also announced to seek an investor for the new Central Jail to be located at Uthuru Thila Falhu.

Investors will get lagoons and islands for carrying out these projects under the cross-subsidy principle.