Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka observed on August 15 the 48th Martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day with due solemnity. The day-long observance began in the morning with the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag at half-mast at the Chancery by High Commissioner Tareq Md Ariful Islam and placing of a floral 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 August 15, 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.