Sirisena leaves pledging greater economic partnership

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena left Dhaka for Colombo today wrapping up his three-day 'historic' state visit pledging to carry forward the longstanding bilateral relations with greater trade and investment cooperation between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

A Sri Lankan Airlines flight took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital around 1:00pm carrying the Lankan president.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali saw him off at the airport, a senior official of the foreign ministry told UNB.

READ MORE: Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka this year

This was Sirisena's first visit to Bangladesh since he was elected Sri Lankan President in 2015. He visited Bangladesh in 2013 and 2014 as Sri Lankan Health Minister.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka signed 14 instruments -- one deal and 13 MoUs -- during the visit beginning a new journey in their bilateral relations.

President Sirisena who arrived in Dhaka on Thursday had official talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.

The Lankan president visited National Martyr's Memorial, Savar and paid respect to the martyrs of Liberation War. He also visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhanmondi on Thursday.

Sirisena met President Abdul Hamid yesterday evening and the president hosted State banquet in honour of the Sri Lankan president at the Darbar Hall, Bangabhaban preceded by a cultural programme.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushan Ershad and Health Minister Mohammed Nasim also met the Sri Lankan president.

President Sirisena addressed an economic dialogue this morning attended by Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan business representatives.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) jointly arranged the event titled 'Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Investment and Business Dialogue: Moving Towards Greater Economic Partnership' at a city hotel.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, his Sri Lankan counterpart Ravi Karunanayake, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) at the Prime Minister's Office M Abul Kalam Azad, BIDA Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam, FBCCI President M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, MCCI President Nihad Kabir, former MCCI President Syed Nasim Manzur and Laugfs Holdings Ltd Chairman WKH Wegapitiya, among others, spoke at the business event.