Kathmandu, Jun 1 (IANS): The government of Nepal has decided to observe May 28 of each year as the National Day, ending years of confusion over the issue since the country turned into a republic in 2008.

On May 28, 2008, the first meeting of Constituent Assembly declared Nepal as a federal republic, bringing to an end the 240-year-old monarchy.

After the establishment of republic, there has been confusion about the National Day, and the country has not formally celebrated the National Day over the last seven years. Before that, Nepal used to mark the king's birthday as a National Day, reported Xinhua.

Government spokesperson Madhav Poudel said the decision was taken in a cabinet meeting Thursday. Diplomatic communities in Kathmandu have been urging the government to fix the date, saying that they were facing difficulties in conveying message to head of the state and prime minister on the National Day.

The foreign affairs ministry has started to inform all the countries which have diplomatic relations with Nepal.