The Speaker of Bangladesh has commended President Maithripala Sirisena for making a “revolutionary” transformation in Sri Lanka.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), she had also said that the Sri Lankan President, as an experienced leader in the region, was an exemplary leader for the Commonwealth Group.
President Maithripala Sirisena who is currently on a three-day state visit to Bangladesh met with the Speaker of Bangladesh, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury yesterday (15), PMD reported.
Upon meeting each other, the two parties had discussed in detail ways and means to further develop links between the two Parliaments and implement a new programme to facilitate exchange of Parliamentary experiences between the two countries.
The President had pointed out the importance of strengthening the Parliament while ensuring its superiority, and had also highlighted the importance of a programme to train newcomers to Parliament.
Additionally, President Sirisena had explained that he had vested limitless powers of the executive presidency with the Parliament, and clarified that even though he wanted to further dilute executive powers, the Supreme Court had not given him consent to do so.
The President had also remarked that he was able to get the two-thirds majority in the Parliament and pass the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and added that he was able to turn a new page of the democracy in Sri Lanka by cutting down the executive powers of the presidency and by establishing independent commissions.
Meanwhile, PMD reports also reveal that the Bangladesh Opposition Leader, Rowsha Ershad had called on President Sirisena following the President’s encounter with the Bangladeshi Speaker.
Upon meeting the Opposition Leader, the President had declared that in a democratic country the Opposition was just as important as the Government, and proceeded to point out the need for a strong Opposition in a country in order to correct the path of the Government.
Addressing the question of gender equality, the President had appreciated the fact that several high ranks in Bangladesh were held by women, and affirmed that Sri Lanka too had made arrangements to increase female representation in Parliament.
The President had also pointed out the possibility of working together to find solutions to issues common to both countries.
Following this, the President had had yet another meeting; a meeting with the Bangladesh Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mohammed Nasim.
During this meeting, the President commended the quality of drugs manufactured in Bangladesh, and recalled the agreement he had entered into with Bangladesh, during his tenure as the Minister of Health, in order to purchase said products.
The Bangladesh Health Minister had announced that steps had been taken to establish a Bangladeshi Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Company in Sri Lanka, and confirmed that preliminary work was amidst finalization.
During the meeting, the two parties had also discussed working together to find solutions for basic health issues including Dengue prevention.
They had also reportedly discussed the exchanging of training programmes for midwives and nurses.
The President proceeded to point out that Sri Lanka was now a Malaria-free country, and stated that decisions he had taken as the Minister of Health had led to that achievement, PMD said.
Meanwhile, addressing the prevalence of tobacco use in Sri Lanka, the President had remarked that the struggle he led against tobacco in the country had carried him all the way up to the Office of the President.
President Sirisena recalled the way he stood against the tobacco industry and how he never abandoned the struggle even though the then leaders humiliated him, and also recalled he took action to increase the health warnings on cigarette packets to 80% of its cover space, after assuming duties as the President of the country.
