BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the second lecture of the Country Lecture Series on 03 October 2013 at BIISS auditorium, Dhaka. H. E. W. A. Sarath K. Weragoda, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh was present as the Guest Lecturer and delivered his presentation on Sri Lanka. Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Chairman, Board of Governors, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) chaired the Country Lecture. Major General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, ndu, psc, Director General of BIISS delivered the address of welcome.

In the Address of Welcome, Major General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, ndu, psc, Director General, BIISS elaborated the background of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka bilateral relations, where he mentioned the cultural and religious affinity between the two nations. Then he pointed out the extensive bilateral cooperation that the two nations have in the sectors of trade and investment, tourism, culture and sports. He emphasised on the enormous trade potential trade potential between the two countries.

H. E. W.A. Sarath K. Weragoda, High Commissioner of Sri Lankan began his lecture by shedding some light on Sri Lankan history. He informed Sri Lanka's successes in educational, legal and other socio-economic areas in the last decades. He stated that current president Mahinda Rajapakse introduced a new concept, Mahinda Chintana which implies the country will follow the nonalignment policy sincerely; it will respect others territorial sovereignty, not interfere into their internal affairs and in return, expects the similar from them as well. He informed that Sri Lanka denies any violation of human rights while dealing the Tamil separatism. He then lauded the current president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, for his strong stance against the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and concrete military actions on them. He told the government successfully rehabilitated and reintegrated former LTTE members.

Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS mentioned the warm relationship between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka based on mutual friendship and trust which was strengthened by mutual cooperation many areas. He also mentioned Sri Lanka and Bangladesh shared strong, historic ties as well as some common challenges. He opined that some measures could be undertaken to enhance relations, e.g. increased exchange of students and scholars, develop closer cooperation regarding the Colombo Plan, in the area assuring welfare of migrant workers etc.

The Country Lecture on Sri Lanka was participated by scholars, members of academia and media, government officials and policy makers.