The programme began with the hoisting of the National Flag (half mast) by the High Commissioner Tarik Ahsan at the Chancery in presence of all the officials/staff members of the High Commission and the members of Bangladesh community in Sri Lanka. Messages from the Hon’ble President, the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Foreign Minister released on the occasion were read. This followed an open discussion session on the significance of the day where members of Bangladesh community as well as officers of the Mission took part.

The High Commissioner paid homage to the memories of the Language martyrs and other martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Bangladesh. In his remarks, the High Commissioner shed light on the significance of the day in the history of Bangali people. He also viewed that declaration of the International Mother Language Day at the initiative of Bangladesh gave completeness to the process of international deliberations on language rights that began with Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948.

The programme was rounded off with prayers for the martyrs, screening of a documentary on the language movement and a lunch hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission.