People-to-people contact vital to boost economic ties – President

It is of vital importance to encourage people-to-people contact between our two countries and such contacts and interactions will contribute immensely in posturing the long standing friendship we share and enhance our economic ties as well, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

“As a country which has overcome the challenge of terrorism, Sri Lanka is especially happy to work along with Bangladesh — also a country which has been affected by terrorist violence — now that both countries are on the path of accelerated economic development,” said President Rajapaksa at the state banquet hosted in his honour by the President of Bangladesh on Tuesday.

President Rajapaksa added: “It is important for countries of our region to insist that we should have the space to evolve solutions based on our own culture and value systems, without undue interference by external forces.”

While hailing the socio-economic and socio-political development achieved under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman said this development will not only have an impact on Sri Lanka, but will also have tremendous influence on the South Asian region.

“We want to make South Asia free from hunger and poverty and a region of peace and harmony. I am confident that your visit to Bangladesh would usher a new horizon in attaining the goals,” the Bangladesh President said.