Bangladesh Speaker calls on Sri Lankan Prime Minister and Speaker

As a part of her visit to Sri Lanka the Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP yesterday called on the Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

In the meeting with the Sri Lankan Speaker at the Parliament, both the Speakers highlighted the responsibilities and contribution of their respective Parliaments to democracy.  They exchanged views on parliamentary practices and discussed ways and means to enhance cooperation between the two Parliaments. In this regard, they agreed to reinstate the “Parliamentary Friendship Association” between the two Parliaments. They also spoke about enhancing bilateral sectoral cooperation. The Bangladesh Speaker shared the development journey of Bangladesh. She also invited her Sri Lankan counterpart to visit Bangladesh. Sri Lankan Parliament Secretary General Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera was present in the meeting. 

Later, the Speaker called on the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Tree. Expressing satisfaction about the existing bilateral relation between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister recalled Bangladesh’s assistance to Sri Lanka and highlighted the close cooperation between the two countries in multilateral forums like United Nations, Commonwealth, SAARC, BIMSTEC, and IORA. The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in emerging sectors like climate change, maritime connectivity, cruise tourism and ICT alongside existing sectoral collaboration in trade, shipping, tourism, investment, education, tourism and culture. The Bangladesh Speaker expressed happiness about Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery and assured of Bangladesh’s support in this regard. She shared the success story of Bangladesh under the pragmatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

The Bangladesh Speaker also mentioned about the 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) where Bangladesh is facilitating foreign investment that Sri Lanka could take advantage of. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister was assisted by Acting Foreign Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake.   

The Bangladesh Speaker was accompanied to the meetings by Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Counsellor Reyad Hossain and APS Rashed Iqbal Chowdhury.