DHAKA, March 30, 2022 (BSS) - Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa today 
deeply appreciated the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 
for the policy of collective prosperity with special focus on counter 
terrorism and violent extremism. 

He made the remarks while Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen paid a 
courtesy call on him at the Presidential Palace in Colombo, a foreign 
ministry press release said here. 
 
During the meeting, the Sri Lankan President offered greater use of Colombo 
port for transportation of Bangladeshi trade goods. 

Dr Momen drew attention of Sri Lankan President to enhance trade and promote 
tourism by regular commercial shipping line and cruise shipping between 
Chattogram and Colombo Port. 

For further promotion of tourism between the two countries, Bangladesh 
foreign minister underscored the necessity of affordable air ticket prices 
with enhanced air connectivity in participation with more air lines. 

Dr Momen urged the President of Sri Lanka to take joint initiatives to fully 
utilize the trade potentials between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. 

He offered the government of Sri Lanka to explore the possibilities of 
importing pharmaceuticals and agro products including potatoes from 
Bangladesh.

In this regard, both sides welcomed the progress made for early conclusion of 
bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement for enhancement and facilitation of 
bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The two sides also discussed the possible new areas of cooperation including 
food security, ICT, healthcare and blue economy. 

Both the sides also agreed to expedite and complete the negotiations and 
approval process of pending bilateral instruments for greater benefits of the 
two country's peoples and increased bilateral engagements between the two 
countries.
 
Dr Momen reiterated his request for continued support of Sri Lanka for 
immediate repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their home 
country with safety and dignity. 

He is now currently staying in Sri Lanka in connection with the 18th BIMSTEC 
Ministerial Meeting and the fifth BIMSTEC Summit.
 
The Foreign Minister congratulated the President of Sri Lanka on successful 
hosting of the BIMSTEC Summit. The two sides expressed satisfaction over 
celebration of 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two 
countries on March 04, 2022. 

President Rajapaksa thanked Bangladesh for continued support in various 
multilateral fora and both sides further agreed to closely work together in 
the future.