26 individuals are to receive awards at this year's National Day ceremony, to be held on Monday night.

Five will receive the National Award of Honour, while 21 individuals will be presented with the National Award of Recognition.

According to the President's Office, two out of the five recipients of the award have previously won the National Award of Honour.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will attend the ceremony, as well Home Minister Imran Abdulla and other government officials.

The recipients for this prestigious award were chosen by the National Awards Committee based on the criterion as announced in the Government’s Gazette.

National day (Gaumee Dhuvas) is observed annually on the 1st of Rabee ul Awwal (which falls on October 29 this year) to celebrate the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam over the Portuguese occupation in the year 1573.

An additional ceremony is to be held in Utheemu island in Haa Alifu atoll on Tuesday.