Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her belief that there is a lot of potential for enhancing bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the areas of investment, agriculture, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, maritime connectivity and higher education. The prime minister made these comments during a meeting with outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Dhaka, Professor Sudharshan DS Seneviraine, who had called on her at her official residence, Ganabhaban.

Both sides stressed the importance of "Blue Economy," according to Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim. The prime minister highlighted the strong historical bonds and commonalities between the two countries, and emphasized that Bangladesh attaches the highest priority to its relations with its neighbors, including Sri Lanka.

Regarding the development of Bangladesh, the prime minister mentioned that 90% of the country's development programs are now funded from domestic resources, and that the COVID-19 pandemic had somewhat impacted the development process across the country. However, she added that Bangladesh is now working hard to recover from the setback caused by the pandemic.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner highly appreciated the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He specifically mentioned mega projects like the Padma Bridge, and stated that on completion of projects of Matarbai and Payra, Bangladesh will become a big regional hub of connectivity. The Sri Lankan high commissioner also praised Bangladesh for maintaining balance in foreign policy.

The Sri Lankan high commissioner expressed his country's keen interest in cooperating with Bangladesh in the fields of trade, tourism, deep seaport, and pharmaceutical sectors. He also conveyed his attachment to Bangladesh and its people during his stay.

Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and Prime Minister's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the meeting.

This meeting between the prime minister and the outgoing Sri Lankan high commissioner highlights the importance both countries place on their relationship, and their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields. It is hoped that this will lead to greater collaboration between the two nations in the future, resulting in mutual benefits and strengthened ties.