By Yohan Perera in New Delhi   

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina had assured the Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe of her country’s support for Sri Lanka’s agriculture modernization programme.   

The assurance was given at a bilateral meeting in New Delhi yesterday. Both Leaders were in Delhi for the swearing-in of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.  

President Ranil Wickremesinghe had informed his Bangladeshi counterpart that a Sri Lankan team would be sent to carry out a study of the agriculture modernization programme which is being implemented by Bangladesh.   

The leaders also discussed trade ties where they touched the proposed free trade agreement between the two countries. Mr. Wickremesinghe had informed Ms. Hasina that Sri Lanka would consider an FTA with her country after Indo Sri Lanka FTA is signed.   

Also, the two heads of state discussed cruise tourism where they focused on introducing a cruise service between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.   

Ms. Hasina invited Mr. Wickremesinghe to participate in the BIMSTEC summit which will be hosted by Bangladesh this year. However, the President had informed her that he would send Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry to the summit. He said he could not make it as the summit would be held during the election time but had assured that he would visit Bangladesh after the election.