In the morning of Aug 15, the national flag of Bangladesh was hoisted at half-mast at the high commission by High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah. A minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to the Father of the Nation and the members of his family who were killed on this day in 1975. Flowers were placed near the portrait of Sheikh Mujib as the Holy Quran was recited.
Later, all members of the high commission travelled to Matara, 160 kms away from Colombo, to join a special commemorative event organised with the Cancer Care Association of Sri Lanka.
BANGABANDHU MEMORIAL GRANT
High Commissioner Hamidullah handed over the first-ever 'Bangabandhu Memorial Grant' to the Institute of Palliative Medicine for the round-the-year treatment and care of three Sri Lankan cancer patients.
This unique grant was instituted to underline the empathy and love the Bangabandhu had throughout his life for the distressed anywhere. In addition to making the contribution to the Cancer Care Association, the high commission served cooked food for 16 cancer patients in Matara and another 23 cancer patients in Anuradhapura.
The high commissioner also announced a special long-term arrangement with a leading Bangladeshi oncology pharma company under which the company "Beacon" will offer cancer drugs free for every second drug purchased.
Dr Samadhi Rajapaksa, founder of the Institute and the Association, applauded the "unique gestures from the people of Bangladesh."