COLOMBO : Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka observed the 48th Martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day with due solemnity on Wednesday,August 16.
The day-long observance began in the morning with ceremonial hoisting of national flag at half-mast at the Chancery by High Commissioner Tareq Md Ariful Islam and placing of wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation by the Mission officials.
A special prayer was offered for the Father of the Nation and his martyred family members and for continuous peace and prosperity of Bangladesh under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In the evening, a meeting of remembrance was held at the High Commission with participation of Sri Lankan dignitaries, expatriate Bangladesh community members and officials of the High Commission. It started with one-minute silence as a mark of respect to all the martyrs of 15th August of 1975 and a special prayer session for their eternal peace. Then a documentary titled “Dark Night of the Bangalis” was screened. The messages of high dignitaries of Bangladesh given on this occasion were read out. In the open discussion that followed, the speakers discussed about the contribution of Bangabandhu to the independence of Bangladesh and his prudent leadership.
The speakers included former Sri Lankan High Commissioners to Bangladesh Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne and Mr. Crishanthe De Silva, Country Director of World Food Programme (WFP) in Sri Lanka Mr. Abdur Rahim Siddique, and Defence Adviser of the High Commission Commodore Md Shafiul Bari.
In his concluding remarks, High Commissioner Tareq Md Ariful Islam paid deep homage to the Father of the Nation and his martyred family members and recalled his great contribution as the architect of independent Bangladesh. Mentioning the universality of the worldview of Bangabandhu, he highlighted the global recognition of Bangabandhu as a world leader and a messenger of peace and humanity. Highlighting the significance of the National Mourning Day, he urged everyone to contribute to the remarkable development journey of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following the ideals of her father. Realization of Bangabandhu’s dream of a ‘Sonar Bangla’ (the Golden Bengal) would be the best tribute to the Father of the Nation, he added.
On this solemn occasion, the High Commission also organized a special prayer session at a Muslim Orphanage in Colombo and arranged improved diet for the orphans. Besides, in memory of Bangabandhu and his martyred family members, the High Commission has also arranged in this month an event for distributing exercise books among school children and a community program to assist cancer patients in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Cancer Care Association.
