 Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir signs independence agreement with the British | |
| Signed | July 26, 1965 |
|---|---|
| Location | Westminster House, Colombo, Ceylon |
| Ratified | July 26, 1965 |
| Signatories | |
| Language | English |
The Republic of Maldives gained its independence from the United Kingdom, under an agreement signed with United Kingdom on July 26, 1965, after 78 years as a British protectorate.
In accordance with the broader British policy of decolonization, an agreement was formalized on 26 July 1965 on Ceylon. Acting on behalf of His Majesty the King, Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, the Prime Minister of the Maldive Islands, and representing Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Michael Walker, British Ambassador designate to the Maldive Islands, signed the agreement. This marked the conclusion of British responsibility for the defense and external affairs of the Maldives. With this agreement, the islands attained complete political independence. The ceremony took place at the British High Commissioner's Residence in Colombo.
The British expelled the Dutch from Ceylon and included the Maldives as a nominal British protectorate in 1796.[1] During the reign of Queen Victoria in 1887, Maldivian King, Muhammad Mueenuddeen II officially accepted British protectorate in the Maldives.[1][2] While the Maldives was a British protectorate, the Maldivian Sultan's powers were taken over by the Chief Minister and the prime minister.
- ^ a b Ryavec 1995, p. 259.
- ^ Tan, Kevin; Hoque, Ridwanul (2021). Constitutional Foundings in South Asia. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 202. ISBN 978-1509930272.
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search