PM Hasina congratulates Mahinda Rajapaksa on Lankan polls victory

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today congratulated her Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa on his party's victory in the recently held parliamentary polls.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said Hasina extended her felicitation through a message to Rajapaksa.

"It gives me immense pleasure to congratulate you and your esteemed party, the 'Sri Lanka Podujana Permuna (SLPP)' on the victory in the 9th parliamentary election held on the fifth of August, 2020," the PM said in the message.

"The election result eminently reflects the trust and confidence that the people of Sri Lanka continue to repose in your leadership."

Hasina said as neighbours, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka enjoy excellent bilateral relations based on mutual interests, which is evident from the collaboration in wide-ranging areas, such as enhancing connectivity, combating terrorism and violent extremism, and addressing climate change.

"This is also manifest in the presence of a large Sri Lankan diaspora in Bangladesh. I fondly recall our interactions on numerous occasions, in particular during your visit to Bangladesh, as also in various international and regional fora for advancing our common causes," she said.

"During your term in office, my government and I look forward to building on the wonderful foundation of friendship that so happily exists between our two countries. We are also committed to working together to ensure a peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous South Asia," the premier added.

Hasina invited the Sri Lankan premier to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience.