President Mohamed Nasheed has today ratified the National Language (Priority) Bill passed by the People’s Majlis on April 25. National Language (Priority) Act has been published in the Government Gazette today following the ratification.

The National Language (Priority) Act aims to protect, develop, preserve and promote the use of the national language, Dhivehi, as declared in the Article 11 of the Constitution.

The Act stipulates that all state communications and correspondences should be in Dhivehi while not restricting the use of other languages in communicating with people who do not speak Dhivehi.

The Act also states that the President should establish a Dhivehi Language Academy and appoint members to the Academy within 90 days of the commencement of the Act.