Parking banned in front of Velana Building as security measure

Authorities have imposed a ban on parking in front of the Velana Building – an office complex which houses multiple government offices – to reinforce security in the area. 

State Minister for Planning Akram Kamaluddin told Sun on Monday that the Planning Ministry has made the block on Ameer Ahmed Magu were Velana Building is located a no-parking zone, and has instructed for vehicles to be cleared from the area. 

Akram said the Planning Ministry asked Male’ City Council to clear vehicles from the area at the request of Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF). 

Akram said MNDF made the request to reinforce security in the area due to the high concentration of government offices in the location. 

Vehicles have been cleared and a no-parking sign has been put up in the area. 

The move by MNDF to reinforce security in high-risk locations throughout the Maldivian capital comes in the wake of an IED attack targeting Parliament Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed on May 6. 

The attack was carried out by strapping an IED on a motorcycle parked on the side of the road, which was detonated just as Nasheed left his residence and went to get in his car.