The President has said that there was much to be done to realize the requisites of freedom and maintain freedom. This required the efforts of all stakeholders, the President said. He made this statement in his address on the occasion of the Independence Day, after a flag hoisting ceremony at the Jumhooree Maidhaan, this morning.

The Maldives celebrates Independence Day on 26th July, which is the date the Maldives gained its independence from the British in the year 1965.

In his address, the President elaborated that the present generation had the enormous responsibility of protecting the independence of the country for future generations. He said freedom included not only external independence from a colonial power, but a necessary requisite of freedom was ensuring that the resulting government was of the people.

He added a people’s government would allow freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom for peaceful activities.

In his address, President Nasheed also focused on the history of the Maldives’ efforts for independence and sovereignty. He paid tribute to the role of former President Ibrahim Nasir, in securing independence for the Maldives. He further noted the services of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Stressing that measures were needed to be taken to strengthen democratic good governance in the Maldives, the President said it was our responsibility to consolidate democracy for the sake of our republic and for our future generations.

At the ceremony, President Nasheed hoisted the national flag at Jumhooree Maidhaan this morning.