Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have signed six memorandums of understanding during the recently concluded state visit of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to Bangladesh. Both nations also hope for the early conclusion of a free trade agreement.

According to a report by Colombopage, MoUs were signed for strengthening youth development, agricultural research, exchange of professional knowledge, training of health nursing staff, international collaboration study, and an interchange cultural program for 2021-2025.

The two countries also agreed to establish a Joint Consultative Commission for Comprehensive Cooperation to be headed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries with a view to regularly overview the bilateral relations between the two countries. Bangladesh’s side would forward a draft of an MoU in this regard at the earliest.

During his visit, Rajapaksa also hoped Bangladesh would continue to support Sri Lanka in multilateral forums in the UNHRC, where a strong resolution would put to vote o Monday.     

Leaders of the two countries agreed on the need for enhanced interaction and increased high-level exchanges including at the level of parliamentarians. They also agreed to revive the parliamentary association with newly elected MPs and encouraged the legislators to play a catalytic role in deepening relations between the two countries.