the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, H.E. Dharmapala Weerakkody, met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary, Md. Jashim Uddin, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During their meeting, the Foreign Secretary highlighted the interim government’s reform initiatives and priorities aimed at ensuring free, fair, and participatory elections.
Both officials emphasized the importance of holding Foreign Office Consultations between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to discuss the full spectrum of bilateral relations. High Commissioner Weerakkody mentioned that Sri Lanka would propose dates for the next consultations following their parliamentary elections on November 14, 2024.
To unlock the untapped potential of bilateral trade, both sides stressed the need to expedite negotiations for the Preferential Trade Agreement, aiming to sign the agreement as soon as possible. They also reviewed pending agreements and MoUs, emphasizing the importance of finalizing agreements on Coastal Shipping, Avoidance of Double Taxation, and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
Additionally, both parties agreed to work closely within SAARC, BIMSTEC, and other regional and multilateral forums to strengthen their cooperation.
