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Sri Lanka PM reaches Dhaka

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Dhaka on Friday morning on a two-day visit to join the celebrations of birth centenary of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence.

Carrying his along with his wife and other entourage, the VVIP aircraft of Sri Lankan Airlines landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 9:45am.

Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina received her Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa with warm welcomed at the airport.

He was accorded a red-carpet welcome, and given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force.

Later, PM Hasina introduced her Sri Lankan counterpart with line of presentation.

In his two days official visit, Rakapaksa will go to National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar, outskirt of the capital Dhaka to pay tributes to the Liberation War martyrs.

At 3pm, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will pay a courtesy call with Rajapaksa at the Presidential Suite at Sonargaon. 

At 4:30pm, the visiting SL PM will join the celebrations of Bangabandhu's birth centenary and 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence at National Parade Ground.

At 7:30pm, he will take part in a cultural programme and banquet hosted by Sheikh Hasina at Grand Ball Room of Hotel InterContinental.

At 10am on Saturday, he will pay tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing floral wreaths on his portrait at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum premises at Dhanmondi-32.

At 10:20am, he will meet Sheikh Hasina at Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The premiers of the two countries will sign several agreements at 11:40am.

At 5pm, Sri Lankan PM Rakapaksa will call on President M Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban Credential Hall.

SUJ/SU