Bangladesh and Sri Lanka share deep-rooted ties in history and culture - President Zillur Rahman

Text of speech made by Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman at the State Banquet held on April 19, 2011

Bangladesh treasures its relationship with Sri Lanka which is deeply rooted in shared history and culture. Our people’s have maintained close links over the centuries.

President Rahman said Sri Lanka has achieved significant development under the pragmatic leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This would have a tremendous influence on the South Asian region.

Assalamu Alaikum and a very good evening to you all.

I have the great pleasure in welcoming President and the distinguished members of your delegation to Bangladesh. We see your visit to Bangladesh as an important event in our bilateral relations.

On this very memorable event, I recall with profound respect the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I also pay my deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the war of liberation in 1971.

I pray to the Almighty for the salvation of those departed immortal souls. Bangladesh attaches high importance to its relations with Sri Lanka which is deeply rooted in shared history and culture. The people of two brotherly countries have been maintaining extensive links over the centuries.

With the passage of time this unique historical relationship has transformed into an extremely close and cordial stature.

We observed that under your able and pragmatic leadership Sri Lanka has achieved significant development in the socio-economic and socio-political fields in decades. We believe that this development will not only have an impact on Sri Lanka, but will also have tremendous influence on South Asian region.

We want to make South Asia free from hunger and poverty and a region of peace and harmony. I am confident that your visit to Bangladesh would usher a new horizon in attaining the goals.

It is heartening to note that under the able and visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina we in Bangladesh have also achieved notable progress in the fields of education, energy, information technology, women empowerment, rural infrastructure etc. Our Government is committed to ensuring the rule of law, human rights and freedom of expression. We have strong stance against terrorism and all forms of extremism. We are now fighting against hunger, poverty, illiteracy and all sorts of social menace.

As you are aware of that global warming and its consequences are the grave challenges for the world community particularly for South Asian nations. Our Prime Minister has raised this burning issue to the world community and able to draw attention of global people. We are working in this regard.

The government has also declared ‘Vision 2021’ to transform Bangladesh into an IT-based middle-income country by the year 2021.

Bangladesh strives to achieve goals of independence for the uplift of the lives of her people.

We seek valuable support from our friends and close neighbours in the region. Immense opportunities lie before Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and I believe the friendly two countries would work together for the mutual benefit in the days to come.

I would like to conclude with my sincere wish that the President, Madame Shiranthi Rajapaksa and the distinguished members of your delegation will have a very pleasant and fruitful stay in Bangladesh.

I also wish President good health, long life and continuing success in all your endeavours and peace, prosperity and well-being of the brotherly people of Sri Lanka. May the friendship between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka last forever.

I thank you all.

Khoda Hafez, Joy Bangla