The Maldives government has apologised to a European couple who were unknowingly insulted during their renewal of wedding vows.

More than a week after it rose up and destroyed their homes, residents of the low-lying Maldives atoll of Kolhufushi are being forced to seek refuge on the sea.

Massive waves triggered by earthquakes crashed into villages along a wide stretch of Sri Lankan coast today, killing more than 2,100 people and displacing a million others, the prime minister’s office said.

The Maldives government declared a state of emergency today after security officials used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters who rallied in a rare show of dissent.