The British High Commission in Sri Lanka has stated that the documentary "Minivan Dhivehiraajje", filmed at the residence where the Maldives’ independence agreement with the United Kingdom was signed, highlights the deep and longstanding ties between the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.
The independence agreement was signed between the Maldives and the British government on 26 July, 1965 at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the day is also of historic significance for the British High Commission in Sri Lanka.
As part of the preparations for the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day preparations, a production team from the state media, Public Service Media (PSM) travelled to Sri Lanka last May and visited the High Commissioner’s Residence where the Independence Agreement was signed. The team gathered footage and information for the Minivan Dhivehiraajje documentary, including videos of the original hall and furniture used during the 1965 ceremony. The Maldivian Prime Minister's visit to Sri Lanka for the signing ceremony is covered in detail in the documentary.
In a social media post, the British High Commission in Sri Lanka said the independence agreement between the Maldives and the United Kingdom symbolises the deep and longstanding ties between the two nations as well as Sri Lanka. The post said the High Commission’s staff and media team were present throughout the process to help bring the story to life. The High Commission extended its warmest wishes to the people of the Maldives on the occasion of its 60th anniversary of independence and said the occasion is a moment to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future.
The documentary was made possible with the assistance and support of the British High Commission, the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka.
On 26 July, 1965, the independence agreement was signed by the then Prime Minister and later President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Nasir. Then-British Ambassador Sir Michael Walker signed on behalf of the British government. The agreement was signed at 10:00 am Ceylon time.