On March 26, 2019 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation H.E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka and Madame Sanja Jayatilleka attended the celebration of the 49th Independence and National Day of the People's Republic of Bangladesh at the invitation of the Ambassador H.E. Dr. S. M. Saiful Hoque and his spouse Dr. Gopa Chokroborty. The reception was held at the Bangladesh House.

Ambassador H.E. Dr. S. M. Saiful Hoque welcomed the gathering, represented by officials from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Russian State Authorities, Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited in Moscow and Defence Attaches. Ambassador H.E. Dr. S. M. Saiful Hoque spoke about the long-term relationship between Bangladesh and the Russian Federation, being the successor to the Soviet Union, established in 1971 when the Soviet Union supported Bangladesh in its fight for independence. The Head of the Bangladeshi Mission expressed gratitude to Soviet navy soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in cleaning the Chittagong harbour of mines and drowned ships.
Ambassador H.E. Dr. S. M. Saiful Hoque mentioned new achievements in the cooperation between Bangladesh, Russia and India, and the trilateral memorandum of understanding signed on the nuclear power plant construction this year. The Ambassador also announced that Bangladesh now has the second highest growth rate in the world.
H.E. Zamir Kabulov, Director of the Second Asia Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chief Guest of the reception addressed the audience. During his speech H.E. Zamir Kabulov underlined the importance of strongly developed Russia-Bangladeshi cooperation in political, economic, cultural and educational spheres.
The speeches were followed by the invitation to enjoy Bangladeshi national cuisine.