Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar, commemorating the 55th Independence and National Day.

Dr Yunus laid the wreath at the memorial at 6:11 am, following a solemn and respectful ceremony.

He observed a moment of silence in honour of the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the 1971 Liberation War.

A formal salute was rendered by a contingent from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force, accompanied by a solemn bugle tune, further emphasising the gravity of the occasion.

The ceremony was attended by the Chief Justice, advisers to the interim government, the chiefs of the three armed services, freedom fighters, foreign diplomats, as well as senior military and civilian officials.

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After paying his respects, the Chief Adviser departed the memorial grounds, whereupon the site was opened to the public to allow people from all walks of life to pay their respects to the fallen heroes.

Earlier, the Chief Adviser said the interim government is fully committed to further developing and strengthening the country and delivering the full benefits of independence to the people.

"We are working to establish good governance and justice to ensure people-orientated and sustainable development, and ensure transparency and accountability through necessary reforms in all spheres of the state," he said in a message on the occasion of the great Independence and National Day.

"On this auspicious occasion of Independence Day and National Day, let us take the oath to work for the development, peace and prosperity of the country, keeping in mind the spirit of the great liberation war.”

Dr Yunus extended his sincere greetings and congratulations to all Bangladeshis living in the country and abroad.

"Achieving independence was the final stage of a long struggle to protect our dignity and existence and to gain our rights. The bloody War of Independence, through which Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in the world, officially began on this day," Dr Yunus said.

He remembered with reverence the valiant martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Independence, whose supreme sacrifices brought the desired freedom.

For the past 16 years, Dr Yunus said, the people of the country have not been able to enjoy the benefits of this freedom.

"The dictatorship oppressed the people and took away their freedom and all their basic rights. The successful uprising of student-workers and the masses has liberated the people of the country from the tyranny of dictatorship," he said.