Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka observes National Mourning Day

The Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka yesterday observed the National Mourning Day and 41st death anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

A program was arranged at the Chancery premises in which officials and staff members of the mission as well as members of the expatriate Bangladesh community participated. The day’s program included the hoisting of the national flag to half-mast, the observance of one minute’s silence, the placing of a floral wreath near the portrait of Bangabandhu, recitation from the Holy Books, a reading of the messages of President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the open discussion on the life and work of Bangabandhu and the Day, the offering of prayers/munajat and the screening of a documentary film on the Father of the Nation. 

The High Commission officials and expatriate Bangladeshis took part in a discussion on the life and philosophy of Bangabandhu. The speakers highlighted his contribution towards Bangladesh’s independence and nation-building. They mourned the assassination of the Father of the Nation along with 18 members of his family in the darkest day of the country’s history on 15 August 1975. They prayed for the salvation and eternal peace of all the martyred souls.

In his concluding remarks, the High Commissioner-designate Riaz Hamidullah paid rich tribute to the memory of Bangabandhu. He underscored Bangabandhu’s contribution to the formation of the Bangalee nationhood. He referred to the political belief and philosophy of Bangabandhu. He emphasised that the values, ideals and vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the true history of his long political struggle for an independent Bangladesh needed to be properly passed on to the present generation so that it could realise his vision of Sonar Bangla (the Golden Bengal).

On this occasion, the High Commission served meals among 70 orphans at the local Fathima Welfare Centre (orphanage) in Colombo. Additionally, a doa-mahfil was arranged seeking salvation and eternal peace for the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of 15 August 1975.