Sri Lanka, which enjoys a warm relationship with Bangladesh, has taken the celebrations of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary and golden jubilee of its independence as a scope to further cement the ties.
Prime Minister of the island state Mahinda Rajapaksa has flown to Bangladesh to join the celebrations at a time when leaders of many countries have limited their movement for coronavirus risk.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reciprocated the Sri Lanka’s gesture by receiving Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Dhaka airport.
While delivering his speech at the celebrations on Friday, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister said he joined the celebration, despite many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the message of solidarity from the people of his country.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, both South Asian nations, have been historically tied since before the sub-continent's colonisation by the British.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka formed joint working group in 2013 and have agreed to sign a shipping agreement to increase bilateral trade. Several Sri Lankan conglomerates have footprint in Bangladesh.
In his Friday speech, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister highlighted the friendly relations with Bangladesh and said as a neighbour and close friend, Colombo stands “side-by-side” with Dhaka to achieve greater freedom and prosperity.
He hailed the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and said he dedicated his entire life for the Bengali people.
He also praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said “despite setbacks, Bangladesh continues to flourish under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's able leadership”.
“That's the best honour in the name of your esteemed father (Bangabandhu),” he said, adding that Prime Minister Hasina’s proposal to promote a ‘blue economy’ in the Bay of Bengal continues to inspire their (Sri Lanka’s) approach on maritime affairs.
Rajapaksa delivered the speech at the event at the National Parade Ground as the guest of honour.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also spoke on the occasion.
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister termed the joint celebrations of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and golden jubilee of independence “worthy”.
“Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a person of principles who dedicated his entire life for the Bengali people, their language and their well-being,” he said.
“He (Bangabandhu) was determined to continue his freedom struggle until the creation of a new nation of ‘Bangladesh’ in 1971. Unfortunately, he could not live to realise the dreams he nurtured for his beloved country,” Rajapaksa said.
He said he understands the agony of the immense loss that occurred on Aug 15, 1975. "On that day, the nation lost a hero and the Father of Independence. At the same time, a beloved daughter lost her parents and siblings."
As a tribute to his legacy and in dedication to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Rajapaksa quoted a part of a poem written by Rabindranath Tagore: "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, Where knowledge is free, Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake."
"In this 21st century, with the great aspirations for Asian prosperity, our new generations need to be aware of the countless sacrifices made by their fore-fathers to achieve freedom," he said.
As a neighbour and a close friend, he said, Sri Lanka stands side by side with Bangladesh to achieve greater freedom and prosperity.
“Our objectives of economic transformation, eradication of poverty and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals remain key priorities in the middle of great challenges.”
Rajapaksa arrived on Friday morning on a two-day state visit to attend the event. Before departure from Colombo, he tweeted: “I look forward to engaging with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the government of Bangladesh to strengthen the bilateral relationship to mutually benefit both our nations.”
Prime Minister Hasina received him at the airport as a red carpet was rolled out as the Sri Lankan premier arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
“Arrived to a warm welcome & guard of honour at the HazratShahjalal Int. Airport in Dhaka and was received by PM Sheikh Hasina,” Rajapaksa tweeted immediately after arrival in Dhaka.
In the parade ground speech, Rajapaksa said the inspiring journey that the people of Bangladesh had undertaken from poverty and natural disasters in the past half century is a testament to a prosperous nation in the making.
He said Bangladesh is considered one of the key emerging economic power houses in South Asia.
“It remains an important trading and investment partner for my country,” he said, adding that the exchanges between the two countries have continued to grow rapidly during the last few decades.
He also said that the “great stride” Bangladesh has made in the field of agriculture “attracts great attention in Sri Lanka”.
In addition to playing an active role through the SAARC Agriculture Centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh continues to provide training and capacity building for Sri Lankan institutions, he said seeking Hasina's “indulgence” to share closer cooperation in this field.
“The friendly relations between our two countries have a long history. Many scholars believe that the first migrations from Bengal arrived in Sri Lanka through maritime routes as far back as 2,500 years ago," he said.
“It is also believed that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had vibrant trade exchanges since 6th Century BC. Quite naturally, Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the new nation of the People's Republic of Bangladesh in 1971,” said the Sri Lankan prime minister.
He also quoted Bangabandhu as saying ‘Bangladesh is fertile and endowed with plenty. Few countries in the world have the kind of fertile land that we have’ and said: “The geographical locations of our two countries provide ample opportunities for us to enhance closer maritime, shipping, trade and people-to-people contacts”.
He also extended his heartfelt compliments and sincere and warm wishes to Prime Minister Hasina, her government, and the people of Bangladesh.
Earlier, after arrival, he placed a wreath at the National Memorial at Savar.
In a tweet, he said he is honoured to be part of the Bangladesh’s Golden Jubilee independence celebration and look forward to the next two days of festivities and discussion.
On Saturday, Rajapaksa will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi road No. 32 at 10am.
He will meet his Bangladesh counterpart at the Prime Minister’s Office at 10.20 am.
After the talks, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed between the two countries in the presence of the two heads of the government at 11.40 am.
The Sri Lankan prime minister will pay a courtesy call on President M Abdul Hamid at the Credential Hall of Bangabhaban before leaving Dhaka.
