New Bangladesh High Commissioner presents credentials to President Sirisena

The newly appointed Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, M. Riaz Hamidullah presented his credentials to the President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo yesterday.

During the ceremony, while mentioning about the long-standing relations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh based on history and commonalities and their identical views on different international issues, President Sirisena expressed his conviction that the two countries would work together in further deepening the bilateral relations. Referring to his earlier visits to Bangladesh, he expressed the hope to visit again as the country’s President in near future. President Sirisena congratulated the High Commissioner and assured him of all-out cooperation during his tenure in Sri Lanka.

On his part the High Commissioner conveyed to the Sri Lankan President the personal regards of the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh respectively. The High Commissioner pointed out that a number of outstanding major issues of mutually beneficial interest, including the proposed bilateral FTA and the Coastal Shipping Agreement could be finalised during upcoming high-level interactions, which would make solid ground for taking preparations for the VVIP Visit in the beginning of next year. He expressed his eagerness for broadening and strengthening the existing relations between the two countries and in this endeavour, he sought the kind support of the receiving government.

In the ceremony, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Dr. Harsha De Silva, M.P.; Secretary to the President P B Abeykoon and Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka Ambassador Esala Weerakoon were present. During discussion, among other issues, the President condemned the recent Gulshan attacks and conveyed his sincere sympathies for the victims of the tragic incident. The Counsellor of the High Commission Maleka Parveen accompanied the High Commissioner at the credential presentation ceremony.