Warm reception to Sri Lankan president

President Zillur Rahman warmly received Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here yesterday afternoon as he began a three-day state visit to Bangladesh amid red carpet welcome.
A 21-gun salute greeted President Rajapaksa as he alighted from a special aircraft at 1:00pm, accompanied by Sri Lankan first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
Two tiny tots presented bouquets to the Sri Lankan president and First Lady Shiranthi at the VVIP terminal of the airport.
A smart contingent drawn from the three services gave the distinguished visitor a guard of honour at the VVIP terminal. President Rajapaksa was then taken to the presentation line and introduced him with the dignitaries.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, State Minister for CHT Affairs Dipankar Talukdar, the three services chiefs, and senior civil and military officials were present at the airport.
The airport ceremony over, President Rajapaksa and the Sri Lankan First Lady were driven in a ceremonial motorcade to Sonargaon Hotel where they will be staying during the visit.
President Rajapaksa will visit Bangabandhu Museum and lay wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today.
He will also visit the Dhaka Export Processing Zone at Savar, and the Buddhist Temple at Merul Badda in the city.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBBCI) will host a luncheon in honour of the Sri Lankan President at Sonargaon Hotel.
President Zillur Rahman will host a state banquet in honour of President Rajapaksa at Bangabhaban today.
Rajapaksa will meet the Sri Lankan community at Sonargaon Hotel tomorrow before leaving for Colombo in the afternoon.