Bangladesh donated medical supplies estimated at a total value of BDT 200 million equivalent to US$ 2.32 million to Sri Lanka at a ceremony held at the State Guest House Padma in Dhaka on Thursday (5) .
The urgent medical supplies provided were in response to a request made by the Sri Lankan government through its mission in Dhaka.
Bangladesh High Commissioner in Colombo Tarek Ariful Islam said, “This is yet another act of friendship between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.” He recalled that the two countries have deep-rooted relations over decades.”
The goodwill gesture is significant of the long-standing bilateral relations, as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Dhaka earlier supported Colombo by providing $200 million in a currency swap arrangement.
The donation of medical assistance was handed over to Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Dhaka Prof.Sudharshan Seneviratne by the Bangladesh Government, in the presence of Foreign Minister Dr A. K. Abdul Momen, Health Minister Zahid Maleque and President of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) Nazmul Hassan, MP.
The medical supplies will be sent to Colombo by SriLankan Airlines, which is currently operating daily flights in the Dhaka-Colombo sector.
Foreign Minister Momen said mutual collaboration is more essential than ever before in these trying times.
“We also stand ready to extend further support to Sri Lanka in all possible ways we can,” he said.
The foreign minister said this medical assistance to the friendly people of Sri Lanka is an expression of solidarity and friendship between the two nations when they are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations this year.
He said Bangladeshi products have by now earned a good name in the global pharmaceutical market due to high quality and competitive pricing. “We are also exporting [medicine] to Sri Lanka.”
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner expressed his government’s gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government for this friendly gesture. He noted that Sri Lanka values the friendly relationship with Bangladesh and is committed to further strengthening it in the coming days.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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