President's visit further strengthens ties with Bangladesh: Nine MoUs signed

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh sealed nine Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this week further strengthening the long standing bilateral ties and trade relations between the two countries, a President's office media statement said.

President Maithripala Sirisena returned yesterday after concluding a three- day official visit following an invitation by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This was his first official state visit to Bangladesh since taking office.

During a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President Sirisena had said that the two countries can cooperate in many sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure and business investment.

Both leaders drew special attention to entering into a trade agreements between the two countries as well as setting up special economic zones, the statement said.

Detailed discussions were held regarding introducing a programme to exchange exper- tise in areas of agriculture, fisheries and information technology as well as to jointly combating terrorism.

Discussions were also held on getting Bangladesh's expertise to increase Sri Lanka's rice production.

Bangladesh Prime Minister had expressed her pleasure over the visit of the Sri Lankan President to Bangladesh and commended the freedom and democracy ensured in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Sirisena, the statement said.