Victory Day in Maldives 2025

November 3rd marks Victory Day in the Maldives, a national holiday dedicated to commemorating the events of 1988. On this day, locals remember how Maldivian soldiers, supported by Indian allies, successfully fought off Sri Lankan armed mercenaries and expelled them from Male.

Traditional Celebrations

Victory Day is a federal holiday celebrated across the Maldives, marked by various official functions and parades. The day includes speeches and a flag-hoisting ceremony to honor the international community's efforts in supporting the Maldivian government. It serves as a time for the people to express their love for their country. Throughout the islands, numerous parades, ceremonies, and heartfelt speeches take place, with spectacular performances highlighted in the capital city of Male.

History of Victory Day Maldives

Victory Day in the Maldives is celebrated to mark the government's victory over a coup attempt by the People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). This federal holiday is observed with celebrations throughout the country, and most schools and businesses are closed. The coup attempt was especially dangerous, but it was not the first. In the 1980s, several assassination attempts targeted then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. In this particular coup, around 80 armed mercenaries took control of the capital, Male. The President sought help from India, which successfully intervened with Operation Cactus, preventing the coup and restoring order.