Maldives President reaches Dhaka

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has reached Dhaka today morning to join the celebration of Bangabandhu's birth centenary and the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence.

President M Abdul Hamid received the Maldivian President at Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport (HISA) at 8.20 am.

Solih will visit Bangabandhu's resident in the capital's Dhanmondi 32 and then go to Savar.

Maldives President will be staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in the capital.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will call on The Maldives President. 

In the afternoon Maldives President will also attend the National Parade Square (Ground) function at Tejgaon.

Solih will be in Dhaka on a three-day tour to be followed by four other heads of state and government from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and India under separate schedules.

Marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and Golden Jubilee of the Independence of the country, a 10-day special programme will begin at the National Parade Ground today.

Chief Coordinator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury told journalists that the events would be held between March 17 and 26 following the health guidelines as guests from both home and abroad will join the programmes.

The theme of the 10-day event is 'Mujib Chirantan', but separate theme for each day has been taken. 'Vengechho Duar Esechho Jotirmoy' is the theme of March 17, he added.

The Maldivian President, as part of his Bangladesh visit's programme schedule, will pay a courtesy call on Bangladesh President at the Credential Hall of the Bangabhaban at 7pm on Thursday.

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih would sign the visitors' book at Bangabhaban. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are scheduled to be signed between the two countries in presence of the two heads of the state, the press secretary added.

Later, the Maldivian President will join the dinner and cultural programme to be hosted by Bangladesh's head of the state at Durbar Hall Ground of the Bangabhaban.