Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have agreed to address the great potential for the development of Maritime Cooperation between the countries in the Indian Ocean region.

The Sri Lankan President Gotabaye Rajapakshe refered to the great potential for the development of maritime cooperation as states in the Indian ocean while receiving the new appointed high commissioner of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Mr Tareq Md Ariful Islam at the President house on January 11th according to Sri Lankan media reports

The New high commission said his country had made maritime cooperation with Sri Lanka as a high priority area

Cooperation at the university level is a necessity, the Sri Lankan President said.

Mr Rajapakshe identified Agriculture and export crops promotion, tourism, education and trade relations  as other areas that the relations could be expanded. Enhancing educational cooperation at the university level is a necessity, the Sri Lankan President said.

During the ensuing discussion, explaining the current economic situation in Sri Lanka and the steps taken by the Government to contain the COVID–19 pandemic President Rajapaksa stated that it is his intention to promote bilateral relations in identified areas with countries in the region including Bangladesh to the highest possible level.

President Rajapaksa would consider the invitation once the current difficult period is over

Stating that no Sri Lankan Head of State had visited Bangladesh since 2018, Mr. Islam recalled an earlier invitation to President Rajapaksa to pay an official visit to his country. President Rajapaksa emphasizing the need for strengthening relations at the Head of State level said he would consider the invitation once the current difficult period is over.

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Foreign Secretary Admiral Jayanath Colombage also joined the discussion.