Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan today spoke while inaugurating the ‘Chingmrong Sangrai Relongpoye-2026,’ in Rangamati. Photo: BSS

RANGAMATI, April 15, 2026 (BSS) - Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan today said that the Sangrai festival plays an important role in preserving cultural heritage in the CHT region. 

“Sangrai is not merely a festival, it is a unique symbol of the rich traditions, culture and communal harmony of the hill tracts,” he said while inaugurating the ‘Chingmrong Sangrai Relongpoye-2026,’ at Chingmrong area of Kaptai upazila of the district as the chief guest.

At the beginning of the event, the minister joined a colorful procession organized on the occasion of ‘Maha Sangrai Relongpoye’ and formally declared the opening of this traditional festival of the Marma community.

He said that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony and that such festivals are an integral part of the nation’s culture and heritage. 

“The present government is working tirelessly to improve the living standards of people in the hill tracts through quality education, better healthcare services and sustainable infrastructure development,” he said.

In this connection, he said that building a prosperous and stable society is a key objective of the present government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Respected religious figures including senior Buddhist monks, the fourth Sangharaja, the Vice-Sangharaja, along with members of the monastic community from various vihars, donors, devotees and journalists from print and electronic media were present on the occasion.