The government has decided to send Tk 200 million worth emergency medical supplies to Sri Lanka amid the crisis.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Thursday handed over a few boxes of medicine to Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Dhaka Prof. Sudharshan D.S. Seneviratne at a ceremony at the State Guesthouse Padma.
The full consignment is expected to reach Sri Lanka within a few days, the foreign ministry said.
“In a spirit of friendship and good neighborly relations as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has decided to send a significant quantity of medical supplies, worth 20 crores Bangladesh Taka to Sri Lanka as a goodwill gesture.”
The island nation of Sri Lanka is in an economic crisis that leads to unprecedented levels of inflation, near-depletion foreign exchange reserves, shortages of medicinal supplies and rising prices.
Foreign Minister Dr. Momen termed the offer of medicine as the expression of solidarity and friendship between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at a time when two countries are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations.
He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh never hesitates to extend assistance to any nation in difficulties, in particular, to its neighbors for ensuring shared peace and prosperity in the South Asian region.
He assured that Bangladesh stands ready to support Sri Lanka in all possible ways.
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner conveyed gratitude of the government of Sri Lanka to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the government of Bangladesh for this friendly gesture of supplying medicine for the people of Sri Lanka.
He noted that Sri Lanka values the friendly relationship with Bangladesh and committed to further strengthening it in the coming days.
He termed the gifting of the medicines, as another demonstration that the trajectory of the bilateral relations was moving in the right direction.
The event was also attended by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, and President of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceuticals Industries Nazmul Hassan, among others.
The government’s drug company EDCL and the BAPI have contributed medicine of Tk10 crores each.
“The offer of medicine would certainly manifest capability of the pharmaceuticals industries in terms of its ability in producing high quality medicine, financial capacity and it also demonstrates Bangladesh’s foreign policy resolve of maintaining friendly and cooperative relations with her neighbors,” said the foreign ministry.
Earlier, Bangladesh supported Sri Lanka by providing $ 200 million through currency swapping arrangement.
