International Mother Language Day 2024 Celebrations of the Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka

The United Nations International Mother Language Day (IMLD) was an initiative of the Government of Bangladesh to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by people of the world.  The Bangladesh High Commission in Sri Lanka requested the SAARC Cultural Centre to contribute a performance through the language of culture. 

The SCC in collaboration with the Roots of Lanka Foundation created a performance of the SAARC Region encompassing the different dance types of the Region.  This performance included Qarsak – a folk dance of Afghanistan, Dhamail – a folk dance of Bangladesh, Joenpa Lekso traditional welcome dance of Bhutan, Naga Tribal Dance a celebratory Tribal dance of India and Kathak dance of India, Bodu Bera Dance of Maldives, Chandi Nach (Sri Sri Nach) Kirat community dance of Nepal, Attan dance from Pakistan and Kandyan and Kavadi dances of Sri Lanka.  This performance highlighted the unity and diversity of the SAARC Region through the language of rhythm and movements.  The dancers were trained and choreographed by Ms. Dhishika Thangavel and Ms. R. Niranjala Devi.  These enthusiastic performers from different cultural backgrounds portrayed the unity and harmony of dance through their breath-taking performance.  The performers were students of the following schools:

  1. National College Matale,
  2. St. Thomas Girls’ School, Matale,
  3. Hindu National College, Matale,
  4. Sri Sangamitta Girls’ School, Matale,
  5. Ammina Girls’ School, Matale,
  6. Thiruwalluvar Tamil School, Matale,
  7. Pakkiyam National College, Matale
  8. Pilawa National School, Kandy,
  9. Dumbara Royal Primary School, Kandy,
  10. K.W. Vaani Tamil School, Kandy,
  11. K.W. Rajawella Hindu National School, Kandy,
  12. Walala A Ratnayake Central School, Kandy,
  13. Pushpadana Girls’ School, Kandy,
  14. Pathadumbara National College, Kandy,
  15. Girls’ High School, Kandy,
  16. Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy

The welcome address was delivered by H.E. Tareq Md. Ariful Islam, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka followed by Ms. Azusa Kubota UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka who discussed the importance of Mother Languages.  Sri Lankan Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Susil Premajayanth and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. M.U.M. Ali Sabri were guests of honour and also addressed the gathering.  The other distinguished guests included the Agricultural Minister of Bangladesh Hon. Dr. Md. Abdus Shahid, Diplomats, representatives of Russian House, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Maldivian Educational and Cultural Centre, Lanka Nippon Biz Tech Institute, Universities, etc.