Bangladesh pledges support for Sri Lanka’s agricultural modernisation drive

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in conversation with President Ranil Wickremesinghe during their meeting in New Delhi yesterday on the sidelines of the 

swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe of her country’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s agricultural modernisation program.

This was conveyed when the duo met in New Delhi on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders engaged in bilateral discussions where Prime Minister Hasina assured her country’s commitment to assist Sri Lanka to modernised agriculture.

President Wickremesinghe also affirmed his commitment to dispatch a delegation of Sri Lankan agricultural experts to Bangladesh. Their objective is to study Bangladesh’s agricultural modernisation program through cooperative methods and gather valuable insights to enhance Sri Lanka’s own agricultural modernisation efforts.

The leaders also deliberated on the prospect of signing a free trade agreement between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. President Wickremesinghe highlighted the potential for such an agreement following the conclusion of the India Free Trade Agreement.

Additionally, Hasina pledged to direct private investors from Bangladesh towards investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, further fostering economic cooperation between the two countries. Consideration was given to the initiation of a passenger ferry service connecting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister extended an invitation to Wickremesinghe to attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangladesh. President Wickremesinghe conveyed to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh that, as the conference will be held during the election period in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry will represent Sri Lanka at the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit in Bangladesh.

The President also assured the Prime Minister of Bangladesh that he would visit Bangladesh after the election. In response, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her satisfaction with the progress of Sri Lanka’s economy under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Recalling the support received from both Bangladesh and India, President Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude for their assistance.