Defence Minister Hassan Rasheed has called on citizens to put the nation first and protect it against traitors, saying they should be prepared to sacrifice even their lives for the country.
Speaking at today's Victory Day ceremony, the minister said a small group of Maldivians had colluded with Tamil mercenaries from Sri Lanka to launch an attack on the Maldives on 3 November 1988. He described the attack as a dark and frightening day that threatened the country's sovereignty and independence.
The mournful day saw 19 Maldivian lives lost in a merciless attack from the enemy, said the minister.
Minister Rasheed said the most important lesson of Victory Day was the courage shown by military personnel who were martyred defending the nation. He urged everyone to be prepared to sacrifice their lives to protect the country's independence and sovereignty.
"The most important takeaway from Victory Day is the lesson of putting the nation first, that is what the courageous military personnel who were martyred for faith and country. You should be prepared to sacrifice yourselves to protect the nation's independence and sovereignty," the Minister said.
The minister said the sacrifice made by those who were martyred on 3 November 1988 would always remain a source of national pride. He urged people to work together to strengthen their love for the country and their faith, and to unite in protecting the nation against its enemies and their plans.
"This country will always be proud of you [martyrs]. Today, we need to cooperate and work together to become individuals who love the nation and its faith in order to protect against the enemies of the country," the Minister said.
Victory Day commemorates the failure of the coup attempt on 3 November 1988, when Maldivian rebels backed by Tamil mercenaries attempted to overthrow the government of then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
The attack claimed the lives of 19 Maldivians, including eight soldiers and 11 civilians.
Following the failed attempt, the attackers fled aboard the cargo ship Progress Light, which was intercepted at sea by Indian forces.
The vessel was attacked and sunk, while those responsible for the coup and surviving militants were arrested and brought to Male'.
Many of the hostages taken during the attack were also rescued.
Haajaraage Abdulla Luthfee and Sagar Ahmed Nasir, who were among those responsible for the attack, were sentenced to death by the High Court. However, then President Gayoom commuted their sentences to life imprisonment under powers granted to him by the Constitution at the time.
