COX'S BAZAR, Feb 28, 2024 (BSS) - A total of 34 diplomats, including ambassadors and heads of missions, from 24 countries and international organizations today visited the historic Rangkut Banasram here under the 'Ambassadors Outreach Programme' of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Believed to be a site visited by Gautama Buddha, Rangkut Banasram in the forest of Cox's Bazar is the oldest monastery in Bangladesh, and a reminder of the country's glorious Buddhist past.

Rangkut Banasram Buddhist Monastery Abbot K Sri Jyoti Sen Mahathero welcomed the diplomats on the Banasram premises here.

The diplomats led by Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud visited the Banasram as part of visiting the development activities carried out by the Awami League (AL) government as well as historic and tourist sites in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar under the two-day outreach programme.

The diplomats also visited different places in Cox's Bazar, including Laboni Tourist Market and bought some souvenirs. 

Later, in the afternoon, they returned to Dhaka by a flight from Cox's Bazar Airport. 

Earlier, on Tuesday, the envoys visited Chattogram Naval Academy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel also known as Karnaphuli Tunnel and other development projects in Chattogram on the first day of the outreach programme.