Police have announced temporary road and marine traffic restrictions around Republic Square in Malé on Tuesday, 3 November, as the Maldives marks Victory Day with a series of official ceremonies and military events.
The restrictions will affect roads surrounding Republic Square, the Martyrs’ Monument and the Islamic Centre, with closures beginning before dawn and continuing at different intervals throughout the day and evening.
According to Maldives Police Service, the measures are intended to facilitate the annual commemorations, which include special prayers, a flag-hoisting ceremony, a military display and the official Victory Day assembly.
The first restrictions will take effect at 4:00 am, when roads around the Islamic Centre will be closed to vehicles for the congregational Fajr prayer. The roads will reopen once the prayer has concluded.
At the same time, roads surrounding the Martyrs’ Monument and the Islamic Centre will be closed for the ceremonial flag-hoisting event. These restrictions will remain in place until the ceremony is completed.
Further closures will begin at 1:30 pm for the military display, affecting roads around Republic Square as well as the adjacent lagoon and surrounding marine area.
Both land and marine traffic restrictions will remain in effect until the military event concludes.
The final scheduled closures will begin at 6:30 pm for the official Victory Day assembly, with access to roads surrounding Republic Square and the nearby lagoon restricted until the gathering ends.
The police announcement means motorists, pedestrians and vessels operating near the waterfront may experience disruptions at different times throughout Tuesday.
Victory Day is observed annually on 3 November to commemorate the defeat of the attempted coup against the Maldives in 1988.
On that day, armed mercenaries linked to a group of Maldivian dissidents launched an attack on Malé in an attempt to overthrow the government of then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
The attackers, who included members of the Sri Lankan militant organisation People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), targeted key locations in the capital, triggering armed confrontations with Maldivian security forces.
Members of the Maldivian armed forces resisted the assault, while India subsequently deployed military personnel under Operation Cactus to help restore security and prevent the takeover of the government.
The attempted coup was defeated, but the attack resulted in the deaths of Maldivian service personnel and civilians.
Victory Day has since become an important national occasion honouring those who defended the country’s independence and sovereignty during the attack.
Annual commemorations traditionally include flag-hoisting ceremonies at the Victory Day Memorial, military parades and displays, official assemblies and the presentation of honours recognising service and sacrifice.
Events are also held in different parts of the country to remember those who lost their lives and acknowledge the role of the armed forces in defending the Maldives.
This year’s commemorations will again centre on Republic Square and the surrounding area, where several of the main national ceremonies are scheduled to take place.
Police have urged the public to take the announced restrictions into account when travelling through the area during the celebrations.
