Sri Lankan Army Chief Lt General GSC Fonseka pays homage to the memory of armed forces personnel martyred during the War of Liberation in 1971 by placing wreaths at the Shikha Anirban at Dhaka Cantonment in the city yesterday.Photo: ISPR

President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday said Bangladesh and Sri Lanka could further strengthen their defence sector through sharing knowledge and experiences.
“We can enhance our cooperation in the area of defence by means of enhancing exchange of high-level visits,” he said when Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Lt General GSC Fonseka made a courtesy call on the president at Bangabhaban.
Welcoming the Sri Lankan army chief, Iajuddin exchanged pleasantries with him and thanked him for visiting Bangladesh.
He noted that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are “excellent” and the ties would further be strengthened and deepened in the days to come.
The president apprised him that Bangladesh offers seats to the Sri Lankan defence officers in the Defence Services Command and Staff College and National Defence College and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation and Training (BIPSOT).
“Such mutual cooperation might be further enhanced with a view to equipping the defence officers with better knowledge and capacity,” he said.
Iajuddin said the two countries could extend cooperation in the context of mitigation and adaptation with the adverse effects of climate change as both the countries are vulnerable.
He also invited Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to visit Bangladesh.
Lt Gen Fonseka informed the president that a good number of Sri Lankan army officers, including himself, received training at DSCSC and NDC in Bangladesh and are being benefited. He also recalled his sweet memories in Dhaka during his graduation at DSCSC, two decades ago.
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka V Krishnamoorthy, Secretary to the President's Office M Sirajul Islam, Military Secretary to the President Maj Gen Muhammad Ruhul Amin and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were present on the occasion.
Passes busy day
Another report adds: Gen Fonseka passed a busy day by participating in different programmes yesterday.
The Sri Lankan army chief laid a wreath at Shikha Anirban to pay tribute to the memory of the members of the Armed Forces martyred during the War of Liberation in 1971.
Then he went to “Senakunja” where he was presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out army contingent.
He inspected the guard and took salute. He also planted a sapling on the Senakunja premises.
Later, Lt Gen Fonseka paid a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff Gen Moeen U Ahmed at Army Headquarters.
He remained with the army chief for some time and discussed on matters of professional interest.
He was also briefed on different activities of Bangladesh Army at Army Headquarters conference room.
Gen Moeen, principal staff officers of Army Headquarters and entourage of Sri Lanka army chief were also present at the briefing.
Lt Gen Fonseka also paid a courtesy call on Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman at Air Headquarters.
He remained with the air chief for some time and discussed on matters of bilateral issues. Principal staff officers and senior BAF officers were present on the occasion.
Gen Fonseka visited Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at Mirpur Cantonment and paid a courtesy call on DSCSC Commandant Maj Gen Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan.
General Fonseka was informed about different activities of DSCSC. He also attended the induction ceremony at Mirpur Hall of Fame of DSCSC.
General Fonseka arrived Dhaka on Tuesday on a four-day visit. He is being accompanied by his wife Anoma Indumthi Fonseka and a seven-member military delegation.