Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday reached Bangladesh to start his two-day visit to the country which is celebrating its golden jubilee of independence. Rajapaksa is the second leader, following Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih, to take part in the event. 

After his landing at Dhaka airport, Rajapaksa said in a tweet, “I look forward to engaging with PM Sheikh Hasina and the Government of Bangladesh to strengthen the bilateral relationship to mutually benefit both [of] our nations.” 

Bangladesh has been organizing a mega event to marking the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. All leaders of the South Asian countries, barring Pakistan, are participating in the mega event. 

“I'm honored to be a part of the Golden Jubilee Independence celebrations and look forward to the next two days of festivities and discussions” Rajapaksa was quoted as saying by the Daily Star. 

He also paid his tributes to martyred freedom fighters at the National Memorial in Dhaka. “All of those who cherished independence sacrificed their today for a tomorrow to all Bengali people, which is a powerful testament to Bangabandhu’s dream for a free, independent, and proud Bangladesh,” he wrote on the visitor book at the memorial. 

On Saturday, he will hold a one-on-one meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her official residence. 

The two countries are also scheduled to sign various agreements on Saturday.