The Maldives Police Service has announced temporary closures of Republic Square in Malé as rehearsals intensify for the upcoming 60th Independence Day celebrations.

Access to the area will be restricted from 04:00 p.m. to 06:00 p.m., and again from 08:00 p.m. until the conclusion of rehearsal activities on July 20. Authorities have urged the public to cooperate with the temporary arrangements to ensure the smooth execution of scheduled events.

Republic Square is closed to the public from July 10 to 25 to facilitate early preparations for other commemorative programmes. The Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, which is overseeing the events, confirmed that celebrations will be held over three days from July 26 to 28.

The formal proceedings will commence at 6:00 a.m. on 26 July with a flag-raising ceremony at Republic Square. A military parade organised by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. the same day, featuring units from the National Cadet Corps and cultural and sporting performances by school students.

Additional processions will be held on the evenings of July 26 and 27. The MNDF is set to lead a parade through the main streets of Malé on July 26, followed by a route march by the National Cadet Corps in Hulhumalé on July 27. The official Independence Day function will take place at 8:30 a.m. on July 27 at the Youth Centre in Malé. Invitations have been extended to all former presidents to attend the ceremony.

Independence Day, commemorated annually on July 26, marks the Maldives’ transition to full sovereignty in 1965, following the termination of its status as a British protectorate.