Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa leaves for Bangladesh on State Visit

COLOMBO (News 1st): Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa left for Bangladesh on Friday morning (Mar. 19) on a two-day state visit, upon an invitation extended by Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina. The visit will coincide 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. During the visit, Prime Minister Rajapaksa will hold high-level bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President of Bangladesh Mohammad Abdul Hamid, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, and the Governor of the Bangladesh Bank. 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, defense, maritime connectivity, education, health, and tourism, among others. The visit will also see the two countries sign a number of Memoranda of Understanding in various sectors such as agriculture, technical education, health, and cultural cooperation. 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.