Bangladesh again known as country of peace: Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh again known as country of peace: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

 The Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has said the government has established Bangladesh as a moderate, democratic and economically prosperous country. ‘Bangladesh is again known as the country of peace and fraternity,’ she said while addressing a function of ‘Kathina Chibara Dana’ (offering yellow robe to monks) and Buddhist Religious Congregation 2011 on the premises of International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda in the city on Saturday.

Supreme patriarch of the Buddhists in Bangladesh Dhammasen Mahathera presided over the programme, organised by Bangladesh Buddhist Federation. Industries minister Dilip Barua, state minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs Dipankar Talukdar and ambassador of China to Bangladesh Zhang Xianyi also spoke at the programme. Hasina said the Awami League always believe in communal harmony in the country. ‘That’s why when it comes to power it establishes communal harmony.’ She said during its previous tenure (1996-2001), her government gave one bigha of land for the International Buddhist Monastery and again giving another bigha of land for the same purpose.

The prime minister also mentioned that during her previous tenure, she gave Tk 10 million to the Buddhist Religious Welfare Fund and waived the duty on 353 statues of Lord Buddha that were given by the Thai government. She said the government was providing fund for celebrating different Buddhist programmes throughout the year. The government is also providing assistance for the modernisation and repair of Buddhist monasteries across the country. ‘In the last three years, we developed and renovated 733 temples, Kang and pagodas, and gave Tk 15 million to the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust.’

Hasina said at present, there were two ministers in the cabinet from the Buddhist community. This year, the government gave Swadhinata Padak to late Shangharaj Joytipal Mohathero for his contribution to the liberation war. She said the government had established communal harmony in the country and people of all faiths now celebrate their religious programmes in befitting manner with joy and fervour. Earlier, the prime minister formally unveiled the plaque of International Buddhist Monastery.