Dhaka-Colombo air link seen vital for trade
Sunday, 19 August 2007
COLOMBO, Aug 18 (UNB): Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakshe Saturday said air connectivity between Dhaka and Colombo is important for better people-to-people contact and improving trade and economic cooperation.
Replying to a query during informal exchanges of views with the delegates of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) at his residence, the President said officials of Sri Lankan and Bangladesh airline authorities had a meeting here today discussing the issue of direct air link between the two SAARC countries.
Rajapakshe said he has been impressed by innovative micro-credit idea of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus in alleviating poverty. Yunus earlier had a meeting with the Sri Lankan President.
Asked about his plan to visit Bangladesh, the Sri Lankan President said he would like to visit Dhaka sometime next year.
On the current peace process with the Tamil Tigers, Rajapakshe said he has set up a committee to talk with the Tamil Tigers and find out a solution to the longstanding problem. The committee would sit with the LTTE representatives, may be in a week or so, he added.
The Sri Lankan President expressed his optimism to find out an acceptable solution of the problem. "Even I am ready to sit with LTTE leader Pravakaran. He is not an outsider but a citizen of Sri Lanka."
He said if India extends cooperation, the problem with LTTE could be resolved quickly.
Asked whether India is non-cooperative, he said: "No, no, I'm not saying that."
Bangladesh SAFMA delegation was led by its President Reazuddin Ahmed. Among others its Vice-president Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, National Press Club President Shaukat Mahmood, Ruhul Amin Gazi, Nurul Huda, Shamim Ahmad, Shah Alamgir, Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Omar Faruq were on the delegation.
Replying to a query during informal exchanges of views with the delegates of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) at his residence, the President said officials of Sri Lankan and Bangladesh airline authorities had a meeting here today discussing the issue of direct air link between the two SAARC countries.
Rajapakshe said he has been impressed by innovative micro-credit idea of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus in alleviating poverty. Yunus earlier had a meeting with the Sri Lankan President.
Asked about his plan to visit Bangladesh, the Sri Lankan President said he would like to visit Dhaka sometime next year.
On the current peace process with the Tamil Tigers, Rajapakshe said he has set up a committee to talk with the Tamil Tigers and find out a solution to the longstanding problem. The committee would sit with the LTTE representatives, may be in a week or so, he added.
The Sri Lankan President expressed his optimism to find out an acceptable solution of the problem. "Even I am ready to sit with LTTE leader Pravakaran. He is not an outsider but a citizen of Sri Lanka."
He said if India extends cooperation, the problem with LTTE could be resolved quickly.
Asked whether India is non-cooperative, he said: "No, no, I'm not saying that."
Bangladesh SAFMA delegation was led by its President Reazuddin Ahmed. Among others its Vice-president Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, National Press Club President Shaukat Mahmood, Ruhul Amin Gazi, Nurul Huda, Shamim Ahmad, Shah Alamgir, Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Omar Faruq were on the delegation.