The Sri Lankan government has invited Bangladeshi companies to invest in their country to boost ties between the two Saarc nations.

The two countries have identified several areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, education, culture, defence, health, air, sea connectivity and human resources development.

Sri Lankan companies have already invested more than $300 million in Bangladesh, said its high commissioner, Yasoja Gunasekera, at a dialogue organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday.

Gunasekera said Sri Lanka is a partner in Bangladesh's development in strategic sectors of the economy such as banking, power and readymade garment.

“I will work towards achieving expansion of our bilateral economic ties for mutual benefit.”

In this context, she said a free trade agreement between the two countries is being discussed.

The relevant authorities of both the countries are studying the feasibility of such a framework. About regional trade, she said Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with their close partnerships with India and China, can explore the huge trade potential in the region by going beyond the 'traditional economic thinking'.

She said the two countries are also looking at the potential for maritime connectivity including linkage between ports in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“We will have a particular interest in working in partnership with friends like Bangladesh in Asia and our immediate neighbourhood.”

Later, the Sri Lankan high commissioner, along with DCAB leaders, unveiled the annual publication of the association -- Beyond the Boundary.