B’desh ready to cultivate Lankan lands, Hasina tells Rajapaksa

Dilapidated water bodies in Lanka can also be restored for inland fish culture, she says

 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday told the Sri Lankan President that Bangladesh is ready to cooperate with the island nation in cultivating unused lands in the down-south and east of his country and produce diversified agricultural products like jute, rice and vegetables.

 

The Prime Minister came up with the offer in her meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Center here in the afternoon.

 

Bangladesh has recently received a request from Sri Lanka on jute cultivation in its north western province Puttalam with an assurance of long-term lease of lands.

 

Sheikh Hasina is now in Colombo on a two- day visit to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting.

 

PM’s press secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters after the meeting.

 

Sheikh Hasina said considering the shortage of agriculture workers and high costs of agricultural inputs in Sri Lanka, the private sector of Bangladesh may find it attractive to invest in Sri Lankan’s agricultural sector provided land is made available on long-term lease.

 

Both the leaders mentioned about similar possible collaboration in the fisheries sector in the north of Sri Lanka saying, Bangladesh private sector can restore huge dilapidated water bodies there for inland fish culture.

 

Underlining the need for starting the negotiation by a joint working group on trade, Hasina mentioned that cooperation on several other areas such as fisheries, agriculture, health, culture, education need to be followed up.

 

The Prime Minister extended her sincere thanks to Sri Lankan President for excellent arrangement of Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) and inviting her to the meeting.

 

Abul Kalam Azad said both the leaders discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral interests.

 

Hasina expressed satisfaction over the start of direct flight between Dhaka and Colombo by Mihin Lanka and indicated the necessity of increasing flights to further trade, commerce and tourism between the two countries.

 

The Prime Minister expressed her firm conviction that greater efforts towards political settlement and reconciliation would lay the foundation of trust and confidence building among communities and with minority groups and enquire about Sri Lankan plans towards reconciliation initiatives.

 

Hasina said Bangladesh authorities are actively considering a request of President Rajapaksa to donate Sacred Hair Relic of Lord Buddha to put the holy symbol on exhibition in Sri Lanka.

 

She said that Bangladesh has always been consistent in supporting Sri Lanka’s fight against terrorism and insurgency. Bangladesh viewed the end of armed conflict as a welcome development for entire region, she said.

 

Congratulating on holding provincial council election in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province after 25 years, Sheikh Hasina said it could be the beginning of Tamil’s participation in the country’s political process.

 

President Rajapaksa thanked Sheikh Hasina for attending the CHOGM-2013 despite her extreme preoccupation at home due to the fast-approaching general election.

 

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary Shaikh Md Wahid uz Zaman and press secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present.

Source: UNB Connect