President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, during his Unity Day address, urged the nation to put aside differences that would hinder progress and to put national well-being first.
The President extended warm greetings and good wishes to all Maldivians on the occasion and stated that the National Day of Unity is observed in remembrance of the spirit of national unity and solidarity shown by the people of Maldives in the immediate aftermath of the 2004 tsunami — the most tragic, and the largest, national calamity faced by the Maldives in recent history.
Memories of the tragic day still evoke bitterness and sorrow, as so many of us lost loved ones to the disaster the President said.
The President then went on to describe the solidarity, love and compassion that was displayed by Maldivians during the catastrophe as remarkable, and emphasized that learning lesson from the disaster and moving ahead with solidarity was a national duty.
Put national well-being first – President Yameen
