Sirisena for deepening relations with Bangladesh

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena has expressed interest in working with Bangladesh to further deepen the relations between the two countries.

Such gesture was made when the newly appointed Bangladesh high commissioner to Sri Lanka M Riaz Hamidullah presented his credentials to him in Colombo on Wednesday morning.

President Sirisena said the relation between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is based on history and commonalities and also their identical views on different international issues.

Recalling his earlier visits to Bangladesh, the Sri Lankan leader expressed hope to visit the country again in the near future.

The high commissioner conveyed to the SL president the personal regards from the president and the prime minister of Bangladesh.

Riaz Hamidullah pointed out that a number of outstanding issues, including the proposed bilateral free trade agreement and the coastal shipping agreement could be finalised during upcoming high-level interactions.

The interactions would help create the ground for high-level visit next year, he added.

President Sirisena congratulated the high commissioner and assured him of all-out cooperation during his tenure in Sri Lanka.

Acting foreign affairs minister of Sri Lanka Harsha De Silva, secretary to the president PB Abeykoon and foreign secretary Esala Weerakoon were present. The counsellor of the high commission Maleka Parveen accompanied the high commissioner at the ceremony.