The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Dhaka commemorated the 78th National Independence Day of Sri Lanka on 04 February 2026 at the High Commission premises, together with members of the Sri Lankan community in Bangladesh.
The official ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the National Flag and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the recital of the Jayamangala Gatha. Multi-faith religious observances were conducted by religious leaders representing the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian/Catholic, and Islamic faiths, reflecting Sri Lanka’s rich spiritual and cultural diversity. A two-minute silence was observed in honour of the national heroes and all those who made supreme sacrifices for the freedom and sovereignty of the motherland. Messages from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, were read at the event. Adding a cultural highlight to the celebrations, students of the Sri Lanka School in Bangladesh presented a special cultural performance.
Addressing the gathering on this historic occasion, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh, Dharmapala Weerakkody, underscored the importance of reaffirming the core values that define Sri Lanka as a proud and resilient nation. He emphasized that Sri Lanka’s rich cultural diversity exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of different ethnicities, religions, and languages within the island, and called upon all Sri Lankans to cherish this unity in building an inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous future for generations to come.
The High Commissioner also conveyed his sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to the Sri Lankan community, business entities, and well-wishers in Bangladesh for their generous financial and in-kind contributions towards the disaster relief efforts in Sri Lanka, extended to assist those affected by the recent devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. In this context, he commended the joint initiative undertaken by the Sri Lanka Association of Bangladesh (SLAB), the Sri Lanka–Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SLBCCI), the Sri Lanka Cricket Club (SLCC), and the Sri Lanka Sports Club (SLSC), Dhaka, in mobilizing donations in support of fellow Sri Lankans.
Further, the High Commissioner respectfully invited the continued support and assistance of the Sri Lankan community in Bangladesh, whether financial, professional, technical, or voluntary, for the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Initiative launched by the Government of Sri Lanka, aimed at supporting the country’s recovery and long-term socio-economic development.
Referring to the longstanding and friendly bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, High Commissioner Dharmapala Weerakkody noted that both countries are keen to further strengthen and expand this partnership into a more dynamic and multifaceted relationship, particularly in the areas of political engagement, connectivity, trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
The programme concluded with the serving of traditional Sri Lankan delicacies to all participants at the event.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Dhaka
05 February 2026
