Third days programs are going on at the National Parade Ground on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Today's theme of the 10-day program is 'Yatkal Robe Padma Jamuna'. The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina also attended the function.

Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the parade ground around 4:30 pm on Friday. He spoke as the guest of honor at the event.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, and State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak, among others, are present at the program.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei V. Lavrov will deliver a greeting message in the ceremony virtually.

Rajapaksa will attend a cultural program and banquet to be hosted by the Bangladesh Prime Minister at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental at 7.30 pm.

To join the 10-day celebration, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari will arrive in Dhaka on a two-day tour on March 22 and Bhutanese premier Lotay Tshering is scheduled to be here on March 24 and 25.

Besides, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here on March 26 and depart Dhaka on March 27.