President declares next week Thursday a govt holiday

The Maldives government has declared September 5th, Thursday next week a government holiday.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu declared the day a government holiday to mark this year's National Day, President's Office added in a statement.

The announcement was made in a directive issued by the office on Sunday.

Earlier President Muizzu declared August 13th Wednesday a public holiday owing to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across various parts of the country, especially in Greater Male' area.

Maldives marks the National Day to commemorate the liberation of the Maldivian people from Portuguese colonialists by Mohamed Thakurfaanu (Bodu Thakurfaanu), which according to history was on 1st Rabeeul-Awwal 981.