Independence Day program cancelled

Offering of wreaths at the National Memorial on March 26 as part of the state and social ritual, civic reception at Bangabhaban and distribution of Independence Day medals were among the ceremonies which would not be held this year

Bangladesh on Saturday scrapped Independence Day ceremonies after a meeting between President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangabhaban, a presidential palace spokesman said.

“The meeting decided to cancel all the major Independence Day ceremonies in view of the COVID-19 outbreak across the world,” President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told BSS.

He said offering of wreaths at the National Memorial on March 26 as part of the state and social ritual, civic reception at Bangabhaban and distribution of Independence Day medals were among the ceremonies which would not be held this year, reports BSS.

He said the COVID-19 situation and the country’s preparedness in combating the pandemic dominated the head of the state’s hour-long meeting with the prime minister in the afternoon.

“Both of them urged the countrymen to be cautious instead of being panicked,” Abedin said.

Source: Dhaka Tribune