We want strong political ties with Bangladesh: Rajapaksa

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Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on Monday signed five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in various fields including trade, agriculture, vocational education, and science and culture, report agencies. The instruments were signed following the official talks between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived in the city Monday afternoon on a three-day state visit. The five MoUs include cooperation between Export Development Board of Sri Lanka and Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh; cooperation between Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of Bangladesh; and cooperation between Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council and Sri Lankan Council for Agriculture Research Policy. The MoUs also include cooperation between Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Education Ministry; and bilateral cooperation on cultural, educational and scientific exchange programs. Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister GL Peiris signed the five MoUs on behalf of his government while Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid signed the respective instruments on behalf of Bangladesh government. Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina and President Rajapaksa witnessed the signing of the MoUs. Earlier, the two leaders had a 30-minute bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister's office where bilateral matters, and regional and international issues of common interest were discussed. Briefing reporters, PM's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad said Sri Lanka wants "strong political relations" with Bangladesh and both the countries want to work together at regional and international forums. He said that the two leaders discussed the issue of terrorism and countering terrorism, as well as food security and cooperation in the shipping sector during the meeting. President Rajapaksa said his country will consider Bangladesh's candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. He also stressed strengthening exchange of visits in different fields including by businessmen between the two countries. Earlier, red carpet rolled out when the Lankan president accompanied by First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa arrived in the city on a three-day state visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of President Zillur Rahman. Zillur Rahman received the Sri Lankan President and the First Lady when they alighted from a special aircraft of the Sri Lankan Airlines at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the afternoon. A 21-gun salute heralded the arrival of Rajapaksa. Later, he was given a guard honour by a smartly turned out contingent drawn from three services of the armed forces. The Sri Lankan President inspected the guard and took the state salute. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Dipankar Talukdar, Cabinet Secretary M. Abdul Aziz, Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes, chiefs of Army Staff and Naval Staff, the dean of the diplomatic corps, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Dhaka and high civil and military officials were present at the airport. Zillur Rahman introduced cabinet members and other dignitaries to the Sri Lankan president later. Rajapaksa is leading a 54-member delegation including Minister for External Affairs Prof G.L. Peiris, parliament members and an 11-member media team. Before leaving for home on Wednesday afternoon, Rajapaksa will meet the Sri Lankan community living in Bangladesh.