President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed on Friday attended the festivities held at National Stadium to mark 54th Independence Day of Maldives.
In addition to the First Couple, Vice President Faisal Naseem and his wife Aishath Shamsada attended the festivities.
President Solih and First Lady Fazna was welcomed by Minister of Home Affairs, Imran Abdulla and greeted with the Presidential salute by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The salute was followed by the National Anthem, performed by a combined ensemble orchestra comprising of members from different School Bands and the Maldives National Defense Force.
Armed Forces Guard and a squad comprising of students from various schools trooped past the Presidential Stand and venerated the President with another salutation.
The festivities of the night included cultural performances, musicals and other events presented by different schools and MNDF.
Several Cabinet Members, Parliamentarians and other government officials took part in the celebrations.