BSS
  21 Feb 2025, 19:39

SL PM pays homage to martyrs of language movement

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya paid homage to the language martyrs of Bangladesh at the Bangladesh High Commission (BHC) in Colombo today. Photo: BHC Colombo

DHAKA, Feb 21, 2025 (BSS)- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has paid homage the language martyrs of Bangladesh and appreciated Bangladesh’s initiative for preserving the mother tongues and linguistic diversity.

He said this while addressing a function organized by Bangladesh High Commission (BHC) in Colombo to observe the International Mother Language Day today, a press release of the HC said.

BHC in Colombo today observed the Great Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day 2025 with due solemnity at the historic Independence Square in Sri Lankan capital city.

Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Employment, UN Resident Coordinator, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Education Secretary, Home Secretary, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations also attended the event, said the press release.

People from all walks of life, including, high government officials, academicians, intellectuals, political and cultural personalities as well as hundreds of students and scouts from schools joined the programme.

The Independence Square turned into a grand assembly of multilingual people on this occasion. The event was organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka, United Nations in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Scout Association. 

This year’s theme of the day was “Language for Peace and Harmony.”

The program began with the choral rendition of the immortal Ekushey song by the High Commission and Sri Lankan Muslim Choral Ensemble.

The entire hall stood in solemn silence for one minute as a mark of respect to the martyrs, the release said.  

In his welcome remarks, High Commissioner of Bangladesh Andalib Elias underlined the role of mother tongues in promoting a peaceful and harmonious world. He called upon everyone to work together for protection of different languages and cultures.