Bilateral talks between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh commence.
President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is currently engaged in a three day official tour in Bangladesh, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hashina Wajid last evening. The Sri Lankan President was warmly received by Mrs. Wajid at the Prime Minister’s office.
Bilateral official talks between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh commenced at this occasion. Both leaders focussed attention on the religious and cultural relations between the two countries since ancient past.
President Mahinda Rajapakse commended the progress in diplomatic relations between the two countries commenced in the year 1972. The Sri Lanka and Bangladesh leaders also discussed on the propagation of air travel, exchange of cultural and education programmes. The President also praised the Bangladeshi government for acting as a friendly neighbour especially during the humanitarian operation to eliminate terrorism and also keeping away from the process of building opinion against Sri Lanka. He further appreciated the assistance extended by Bangladesh in regional security issues.
President Rajapakse also requested to take measures to bring the sacred hair relics of Lord Buddha at the Chittagong Buddhist Vihara to Sri Lanka.
Both leaders also discussed ways of enhancing economic development between the two countries by developing facilities at the Ports in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They also pointed out on how the two countries should strive to become middle income countries by the year 2016 and also on bilateral investment securities.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh entered into four agreements of mutual understanding and also signed an exchange programme agreement. Minister Professor G.L. Peiris signed on behalf of Sri Lanka to this agreement. They included agreements on cooperation in the fields of tertiary and vocational education and solidarity in fishing. In addition two mutual understanding agreements on the agricultural sector and trade promotions were also signed. The two countries also entered into exchange programme agreement in cultural, educational and scientific sectors.
Bangladeshi foreign minister Dr. Dipu moning called on at the hotel where President Mahinda Rajapakse was staying last evening. The Bangladeshi foreign minister has conducted talks with the President on
historical relationship as well as on the strengthening of air travel and international relations between the two countries.
