COLOMBO : Today marks the 51st Independence and National Day of Bangladesh. As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, we would also like to share our happiness and joy with the friendly people of Sri Lanka. Earlier this month, our two countries jointly celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, another milestone.
This day reminds us of the value of emancipation from subjugation, freedom of expression in an inclusive society, and freedom to contribute to the welfare of the country. These ideas were fostered by our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman under whose visionary and undisputed leadership Bangladesh achieved its independence. On this day, we pay our deepest homage to him as well as to our millions of martyrs, hundreds of thousands of persecuted war heroines and our freedom fighters. Their sacrifice has inspired us to devote ourselves to nation building.
I recall with gratitude our foreign friends who had extended their whole-hearted support and cooperation for the cause of our independence.
Today, Bangladesh stands tall in the comity of nations as a responsible member which is making significant developmental strides. Having celebrated its Golden Jubilee of independence as well as the Birth Centenary of its Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh is now even more spirited and committed under the able leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to uphold its founding values of bringing about changes and prosperity in the lives of its people. We deeply value Sri Lanka’s partnership in this incredible journey.
On 4 March 1972, Sri Lanka recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign country shortly after our independence which remains as a landmark in our bilateral relations. We are grateful to Sri Lanka, it’s people and the leadership. Over the last 50 years, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as South Asian neighbours have been maintaining excellent relations–bilaterally, regionally as well as in the international fora. Our two countries enjoy common historical legacy, shared culture & values, similar development aspirations, and even identical challenges. Our two peoples find their natural affinity with each other irrespective of their race, religion, and creed.
The milestone of the 50 years of our diplomatic relations gives us satisfaction for what we have achieved and the path we have traversed together. Now we have to find new avenues for cooperation. We must work together for further fruitful collaboration in connectivity, people-to-people contact, trade, investment, public health, agriculture, tourism and combating global common threats such as climate change, terrorism and Covid-like menaces.
We are looking forward to making our journey ahead more beneficial for and meaningful to our two peoples.
Joy Bangla.
Long live Bangladesh-Sri Lanka friendship.
