Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa witnessed the signing of six deals on Saturday to take the Dhaka, Colombo ties to a new height.
This was the first overseas visit of Prime Minister Rajapaksa after assuming the premiership in August 2020.
Both leaders reiterated their firm conviction to further strengthen the bilateral relations with a pragmatic and mature approach based on sovereignty, equality, friendship, trust and understanding for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. The deals which were singed in their presence are: MoU between the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Cooperation for Strengthening Youth Development; MoU between Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council and Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy; MoU between the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Exchange of Documentation on Vocational Qualification; MoU between the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Co-operation of Training of Bangladesh Nurses and Healthcare Workers in Sri Lanka; MoU for Cooperation between Bangladesh Institute of International & Strategic Studies and Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations; and Cultural Exchange Programme between the Government of the People Republic of Bangladesh and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for the Years 2021-2025.
The two leaders also directed the relevant offices of both sides to take immediate steps for due implementation and follow up on all bilateral instruments signed between the two countries.
Rajapaksa made a two-day visit despite pandemic to attend the historic twin celebrations of Bangladesh from March 17 to March 26 – birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of independence.
He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Minister of Education, State Minister for Regional Cooperation, State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, State Minister of Batik, Handloom Fabric and Local Apparel Products and State Minister of Rural Housing and Construction and Building Material Industries, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and senior government officials of Sri Lanka.
He was received by Prime Minister Hasina and accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh hosted a State Banquet in honour of Prime Minister Rajapaksa.
He paid homage at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar, Bangladesh in memory of the martyrs of the 1971 War of Liberation. He planted a sapling at the National Martyrs’ Memorial premises.
He also paid a rich tribute to the memory of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhaka.
He also paid a courtesy call on President Md. Abdul Hamid, and held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Hasina on Saturday. Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Rajapaksa.
In the presence of the Prime Minister, Rajapaksa delivered the Bangabandhu Memorial Lecture at the Special Programme at the National Parade Ground, Dhaka on 19 March as the ‘Guest of Honour’.
In his address, he paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his visionary leadership that led to the emergence of a sovereign and independent Bangladesh.
He also lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for successfully carrying forward Bangabandhu’s rich legacy in realizing his dream of a ‘Sonar Bangla’, the ‘Prosperous Golden Bengal’.
The two leaders discussed all aspects of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka relations and also discussed contemporary international and regional issues of common interest, according to a joint communiqué issued after his departure.
They recalled the shared bonds of history, tradition, culture and multitude of other commonalities between the two countries.
Rajapaksa appreciated the leadership of Hasina for the “effective” handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
He thanked her government’s support of Covid-19 related medical accessories to Sri Lanka under the ‘SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund’.
Prime Minister Hasina also lauded Rajapaksa for his “exemplary” leadership in successfully dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. Both the leaders appreciated the consular and repatriation services extended to each other’s nationals during the pandemic.
Prime Minister Hasina appreciated Rajapaksa’s pro-people leadership, initiatives to develop infrastructure and the vision to accomplish equitable socio-economic development of Sri Lanka.
She also appreciated his government’s efforts towards national unity, reconciliation and development. Both the leaders appreciated the institutionalisation of democracy in their respective countries.
Rajapaksa commended the tremendous socio-economic development in Bangladesh over the last decade and Bangladesh’s accomplishments in food self-sufficiency, poverty eradication, energy generation, agriculture, rural development, industrialization, service sector, ICT, digitalization, disaster management, women empowerment, climate change adaptation, infrastructure development, education, etc. under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also commended Bangladesh’s impressive economic growth even amid the Covid-19 pandemic. He recognized Bangladesh’s global leadership in development and contribution to promoting peace, security and stability in the world. He also congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for leading the country towards graduation from LDC to a developing economy despite the challenges of the global pandemic.
He thanked the Prime Minister and the government of Bangladesh for their steadfast support in combating terrorism in Sri Lanka, and in this context, for extending support to Sri Lanka at international fora, including the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and other United Nations bodies and international organizations. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed the hope that Bangladesh will continue to stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka at the ongoing 46th Session of the UNHRC in Geneva.
He appreciated the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for her generosity in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to the 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from the Rakhine State.
Both Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of the voluntary, safe, speedy, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingyas to their homeland.
While Sri Lanka provides home for displaced people in neighboring countries, Sri Lanka is committed to work in cooperation with UNHCR to address issues of concerns at all times, while abiding by all the approved legal frameworks and prescribed procedures. Bangladesh Prime Minister requested the Sri Lankan Prime Minister to support Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya crisis.
Recognizing the threats to pluralistic societies arising from terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization, the two leaders pledged to work together to counteract such challenges in both countries, the region and beyond. To facilitate bilateral cooperation in addressing these complex, shared security challenges, they agreed to work towards setting up a joint institutional mechanism. Bangladesh Prime Minister offered to share Bangladesh’s experience in countering terrorism and violent extremism through a ‘whole-of-society’ approach.
Both the leaders emphasised on reinvigorating the existing institutional mechanisms between the two countries including the Foreign Office Consultations (FoC), Joint Economic Commission (JEC), sectoral Joint Working Groups (JWGs), Joint Programmes / Work Plans as an important catalyst for further enhancing the overall bilateral relations. In this context, the two leaders agreed to establish a Joint Consultative Commission for Comprehensive Cooperation to be headed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries with a view to regularly overview the bilateral relations between the two countries. Bangladesh would forward a draft of a MoU in this regard at the earliest.
Sri Lanka appreciated the scholarships offered and facilities extended by Bangladesh to Sri Lankan students in pursuing higher studies, including medical and dental studies in the government Medical and Dental Colleges.
Both the leaders directed relevant officials to expeditiously address the issue of recognition of the medical and dental colleges so that Sri Lankan students may utilize their academic qualifications in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh appreciated Sri Lanka’s support in training Bangladeshi nurses and other health professionals.
