Cambodian PM greets Bangladeshis

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday greeted the people of Bangladesh on the occasions of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country's independence.

"Today, I am very honored and delighted to deliver on behalf of the royal government and the people of Kingdom of Cambodia congratulatory message on the commemoration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh," he said in a video message.

The message was run during the second day of the 10-day celebrations programme. The theme of the day's event was -- "Mohakaler Torjoni".

Hun Sen appreciated the government and the people of Bangladesh for its remarkable achievements over the past decade by following the pragmatic visionary leadership of late Bangabandhu.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will arrive in Dhaka this morning on a two-day visit to join the twin celebrations.

He is scheduled to arrive at 10:00am. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive her Sri Lankan counterpart at the airport, officials said.

Rajapaksa will place wreath at the National Memorial in Savar at 11:00am, sign the visitor's book and plant a sapling there. He will join the celebrations at the National Parade Square at 4:30pm.

Yesterday, Cambodian premier Hun Sen in his message said Bangladesh under the wise leadership of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has achieved high economic growth, social progress and improved the quality of life of the Bangladeshi people, the Cambodian premier said.

This spectacular success has enabled Bangladesh to meet the eligibility criteria for graduation from the group of least developed countries in 2021, he added.

The PM highlighted the historical friendship between Cambodia and Bangladesh which was founded by the close ties between the late King-Father of Cambodia Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk and Father of the Nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during their meeting at the conference of the non-aligned countries in Algeria in 1973.

"On this auspicious event, I would like to reaffirm my strong commitment to further deepen the bilateral relations and close cooperation between Cambodia and Bangladesh and to develop a stronger mutually beneficial partnership at the regional and international frameworks," Hun Sen said.

CELEBRATION CONTINUES

The second day of the 10-day celebration programme began yesterday with the presentation of title animation video on the theme -- "Mujib Chirantan".

National-level singers along with young artistes sang the Mujib Borsho's theme song titled "Tumi Banglar Dhrubo Tara and Banglar Batighar" written by poet Kamal Chowdhury and composed by Nakib Khan.

Later, Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, chief coordinator of the birth centenary celebration national implementation committee, delivered the welcome speech.

An audiovisual presentation based on "Mohakaler Torjoni" was made which was followed by a discussion on the theme by eminent educationist Alamgir Mohammad Sirajuddin.

Sirajuddin said Bangabandhu had declared independence as per his commitment and after that he was arrested by the Pakistani army.

During the cultural part of the programme, a recorded cultural ceremony of Vietnam was screened.

The cultural event ended with orchestra music, songs written on Bangabandhu, light and sound show based on Bangabandhu's March 7 speech and a chorus song by artistes of two generations.

VISIT BY FOREIGN LEADERS

Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa will attend a cultural programme and banquet hosted by his Bangladeshi counterpart at the Grand Ball Room of Hotel InterContinental Dhaka at 7:30pm today.

Tomorrow, he will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the capital's Dhanmondi at 10:00am. He will visit the museum and sign the visitor's book there.

Rajapaksa will meet Hasina at the Prime Minister's Office. Several MoUs will be signed between the two countries.

The Sri Lankan premier will pay a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban at 5:00pm.