Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has paid deep tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city.
The visiting Sri Lankan prime minister showed his respect to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi road number 32 on Saturday morning.
After placing the wreath, Rajapaksa stood there for some time in solemn silence as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of the country's independence.
He also signed the visitors' book.
"I'm deeply touched and moved by this sacred space so much venerated by the people of Bangladesh and all the peace loving people the world over," he wrote in the visitors' book.
"The tragedy of Bangladesh that took place at this place on August 15, 1975, in many ways symbolizes the courage and strength it infused into the people of Bangladesh to protect and cherish the freedom for which Bangabandhu sacrificed his valued life," he also wrote.
"May this be an eternal tribute to all those who respect life and freedom," he mentioned.
He also paid homage at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar in memory of the martyrs of the 1971 War of Liberation. He planted a sapling at the National Martyrs’ Memorial premises.
Rajapaksa paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid and held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen paid a courtesy call on the Sri Lankan prime minister.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mahinda Rajapaksa paid a state visit to Bangladesh from March 19 to March 20 to participate in the celebration marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
The state visit signifies the fact that this is the first overseas visit undertaken by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa after assuming the premiership in August 2020, said a joint statement on Saturday.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising of the education minister, state minister for Regional Cooperation, state minister of Money, and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, state minister of Batik, Handloom Fabric and Local Apparel Products and state minister of Rural Housing and Construction and Building Material Industries, secretary to the prime minister, foreign secretary, and senior government officials of Sri Lanka.
Rajapaksa was received by Hasina and accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka.
Hasina hosted a state banquet in honour of Rajapaksa on Friday.
In the presence of Hasina, Rajapaksa delivered the Bangabandhu Memorial Lecture at the special program at the National Parade Ground on Friday as a guest of honour.
In his address, Rajapaksa paid rich tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his visionary leadership that led to the emergence of a sovereign and independent Bangladesh.
He also lauded Hasina for successfully carrying forward Bangabandhu’s rich legacy in realizing his dream of a “Sonar Bangla” – the prosperous “Golden Bengal.”
In her address, Hasina thanked Rajapaksa for gracing the occasion despite the pandemic and for the expression of his solidarity towards Bangladesh and its people.
Hasina and Rajapaksa held bilateral talks on Saturday which was marked by great warmth and cordiality reflecting the excellent bilateral relations and friendship that exist between the two countries.
The two leaders discussed all aspects of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka relations and also discussed contemporary international and regional issues of common interest.
