The New Nation - Internet Edition

President, CA greet counterparts of Trinidad, Tobago

UNB, Dhaka

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Advisor Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed have greeted their counterparts of Trinidad & Tobago on the occasion of the country's Independence Day that falls on Sunday.

In a message to President of Trinidad & Tobago, Prof George Maxwell Richards, Dr Iajuddin Ahmed said "Bangladesh and Republic of Trinidad and Tobago enjoy excellent bilateral relations, which, I am confident, will be further strengthened in the years ahead."

In a separate message to Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Patrick Manning, the Chief Advisor expressed his confidence that the friendly relations between the two countries will grow in depth and dimensions during the coming years.

The President and the Chief Advisor also wished their counterparts' good health, happiness and long life and continued peace, progress and well being of the people of Trinidad & Tobago.

MPs should be accountable to general people

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a workshop here on Thursday unequivocally said the members of parliament (MPs) should be accountable to the general public for institutionalisation of democracy.

In this context, they also said statements of criminal cases; educational qualification, income, wealth and bank accounts of the MPs should be made known to all, as the voters have right to know about them.

Conscious Citizens Committee (CCC), a partner organization of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), arranged the workshop styled "Citizens Charter of Parliament and Member of Parliament" at al local restaurant.

In his address of welcome, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman elaborated the context of research on citizens' charter of parliament and member of parliament.

Former minister Sarder Amzad Hossain, former state minister Professor Zinatunnessa Talukder, former MP Professor Lutfunnessa Hossain, former RCC mayor Advocate Abdul Hadi, former VC of Rajshahi University Professor Saidur Rahman Khan and, RU Professors Dr Fayekuzzaman and Dr Anisur Rahman addressed the workshop as guest speakers with CCC Convener Advocate Golam Arif Tipu in the chair.

Stressing the need for holding free, fair and credible elections in the country to ensure good governance speakers urged upon the political parties to nominate honest, educated, accountable to people, morally sound and politically experienced people in the forthcoming national elections.

On the contrary, they called upon all political parties not to nominate black- money holders, corrupt elements and godfathers.

They also put forward a set of recommendations like formulation of code of conduct for the MPs, ensuring accountability and transparency of the political parties and holding regular face-to-face dialogue for ensuring accountability among the political parties. Provision of withdrawal of MPs from the parliament should also be enacted if he or she failed in performing duties.

Among others, Awami League leader Akhter Jahan, development workers Jaituna Khatun, Nurul Alam, Afzal Hossain, Professor Fazlul Haque, CPB leaders Enamul Haque and Abul Kalam Azad, journalists Mustafizur Rahman Khan and Shafiqul Islam and BLAST Coordinator Advocate Abdus Samad took part in the open discussion.

He speakers observed that a credible, transparent and accountable government could be formed only through free and fair elections.

A number of political leaders, NGO activists, teachers, doctors, journalists and other professionals attended the workshop and participated in the discussion.

Lankan Army Chief leaves Dhaka

UNB, Dhaka

Chief of Army Staff, Sri Lanka Army, Lt General GSC Fonseka left here on Friday after a four-day visit to Bangladesh.

He was accompanied by his wife Anoma Indumathi Fonseka and a seven-member military delegation.

On behalf of Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army, Quarter Master General Lt. General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury saw him off at Zia International Airport, said an ISPR release.

Srilankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh V Karishna Moorthy was also present.

During his visit in Bangladesh, General Fonseka laid floral wreath at Shikha Anirban in Dhaka Cantonment. His programmes also included courtesy call on President Prof. Dr Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban. He also called on the three Service Chiefs at their respective offices.

Besides, he visited Bejoy Ketan at Dhaka Cantonment, Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at Mirpur, Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF) at Gazipur and Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) at Bhatiary, Chittagong.

Fonseka also attended induction ceremony at 'Mirpur Hall of Fame' of DSCSC.

Mentionable, he is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh.