Bangladesh Speaker’s visit to Sri Lanka Sri Lanka’s attention drawn to 100 special economic zones in Bangladesh

• The two Speakers highlighted the responsibilities and contribution of their respective Parliaments to democracy

Bangladesh Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin who is in Sri Lanka made mention about the 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) where Bangladesh is facilitating foreign investment that Sri Lanka could take advantage of.   
As a part of her visit to Sri Lanka, she met her Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.   

A statement from the Bangladeshi High Commission said the two 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 and also invited her Sri Lankan counterpart to visit Bangladesh. Secretary General of the Sri Lankan Parliament Mrs. Kushani Anusha Rohanadeera was also present at the meeting.   

Later, the Speaker called on the Prime Minister at 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 and culture. The Bangladesh Speaker expressed happiness about Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery and assured Bangladesh’s support in this regard. She shared the success story of Bangladesh under the pragmatic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh Speaker also mentioned 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 Mr. Tharaka Balasuriya and Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. 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 Mr. Rashed Iqbal Chowdhury.    

• the Prime Minister recalled Bangladesh’s assistance to Sri Lanka and highlighted the close cooperation between the two countries