Lankan President Sirisena in city
10 deals expected to be inked with Sri lanka
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who arrived in the capital to a red carpet reception yesterday on a three-day state visit, will hold extensive bilateral talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart M Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other senior cabinet members discussing the ways to strengthen the cooperation in the fields of the maritime affairs, education, tourism, fisheries and health.
The visiting president will also discuss ways to devise mechanism and find paths to promote investments between Dhaka and Colombo.
Besides, at least 10 bilateral instruments in the shape of agreements and memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in areas of agriculture, coastal shipping, information and communication technology, media, foreign services and central banks are expected to be signed during the visit.
During this state visit, the president will pay his special attention to explore the ways to further expanding trade and investments between the two countries, said a press release posted on the website of the Sri Lankan president.
President Sirisena is being accompanied by a 73-member delegation including representatives of 40 private sector companies.
The two-way trade between the two countries belonging to the SAARC and BIMSTEC stands at only $80 million, but the diplomats and businesspeople believe there is potential to do much better.
President Abdul Hamid along with senior ministers received the Sri Lankan
leader at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before noon yesterday. Following the ceremony at the airport, the Sri Lankan president was driven to the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, the place of his residence while in Bangladesh.
In the afternoon, President Sirisena paid tribute to the heroes fallen during the countrys war of liberation in 1971 at the National Martyrs Memorial, Savar. From there, he made his way to Dhanmondi to visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. Later, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali paid a courtesy call on the visiting dignitary at his hotel.
The Sri Lankan head of the state will begin with official talks today with Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Ministers Office. Prior to that, the two leaders will hold a one to one talk. Following the official talks, bilateral instruments will be signed.
Speaker of the Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will meet President Sirisena at the latters hotel. Leader of the Opposition Raushan Ershad and Health Minister Md Nasim will also meet the visiting dignitary.
In the evening, Sirisena will meet his counterpart at Bangabhaban followed by a state banquet and a cultural show.
On Saturday, the visiting president will attend an economic dialogue at Radisson Blu Hotel where he will address representatives of businesses and industries of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
At 1pm, he will depart for Colombo wrapping up his three-day state visit.
