The government has announced a monthly allowance of MVR 9,000 for each family member of soldiers who were martyred during the November 3rd, 1988, coup d'état.
A regulation publicized by the Defense Ministry regarding allowances related to the November 3rd coup on Wednesday is aimed at providing financial support to the families of soldiers who were martyred during the coup, as well as to individuals who were awarded the November 3rd Medal for showcasing extraordinary bravery and excellence.
Those eligible for the allowance under the regulation include:
Families of soldiers who were martyred during the November 3rd coup
Individuals who were awarded Medal of Honor for showcasing extraordinary bravery and excellence during the November 3rd coup
Eight soldiers lost their lives during the coup. For the purpose of the regulation, the family members of the martyred soldiers are considered as their parents, children, and widowed wives.
As per the regulation, each living family member of a martyred soldier will be receiving a monthly allowance of MVR 9,000, until their death.
Meanwhile, individuals awarded Huravee Gold Medal for showcasing extraordinary bravery without regard to their own safety will receive a monthly allowance of MVR 9,000, until their death. Individuals awarded Huravee Silver Medal for showcasing extraordinary bravery without regard to their own safety will receive a monthly allowance of MVR 8,000, until their death.
Apart from this, individuals awarded Ribbon for Bravery will receive a monthly allowance of MVR 6,000 until their death.
The allowance for individuals who were awarded the Medal of Honor will also come to a halt upon their death. The regulation states their family must notify the death of the individual to the Defense Ministry within one month.
With the publication of the regulation on the government gazette on Thursday, it has now come into effect.
The foiled attack of November 3rd, 1988, with armed mercenaries from Tamil secessionist organization People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), was carried out in an attempt to overthrow former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration. The coup was led by two Maldivians: Abdulla Luthfee and Ahmed Nasir.
The attack killed 19 Maldivian citizens - eight soldiers and 11 civilians - and left scores more injured.
It is commemorated in the Maldives as Victory Day.