PM kicks off 2-day visit to Bangladesh

• Premier will hold high-level bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today
• Two countries to ink several MoUs in agriculture, technical education, health and cultural cooperation
• Rajapaksa to meet Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid, Foreign Minister, Governor of Bangladesh Bank

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday began his two-day official visit to Bangladesh in a bid to strengthen strong relations of the two countries and to hold high-level bilateral discussions.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received Rajapaksa on his arrival at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HISA), followed by a guard of honour by a contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force at the airport.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa’s visit coincided with the celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.

Following the warm reception at the airport, Rajapaksa visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, where he laid a wreath to pay his respects to martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh and planted a sapling.

“Was a moving experience to pay my respects at the #NationalMartyrsMemorial. All those who cherished Independence sacrificed their today for a tomorrow to all Bangali people which is a powerful testament to Bangabandhu’s dream for a free, independent, and proud Bangladesh,” Rajapaksa tweeted.

Later, Prime Minister Rajapaksa delivered a speech at the event to mark the conclusion of the ‘Mujib Year’, declared to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangladesh’s independence.

Today (20) Prime Minister Rajapaksa will hold high-level bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office, followed by signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors, such as agriculture, technical education, health and cultural cooperation witnessed by both leaders.

In addition, Premier Rajapaksa will meet Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and the Governor of the Bangladesh Bank today.

“The special invitation and the high-level bilateral discussions are expected to enhance the strong relations the two countries have enjoyed for a very long time. Bilateral discussions will touch upon a variety of sectors, including agriculture, trade and investment, defence, maritime connectivity, education, health and tourism, amongst others,” the Prime Minister’s Media Division said.

Bangladesh became a nation in 1971 and established formal diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka the following year. Both countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022.