SLPA Chairman commends support from Bangladesh for development of Sri Lanka’s shipping industry

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam and SLPA Chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola exchange mementoes

A friendly meeting between the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola was held on Thursday (8). The meeting took place at the Chairman’s office at the SLPA.

The SLPA Chairman warmly welcomed the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka and exchanged views with the Ambassador on the current state of the shipping industry in Sri Lanka.

Speaking further, the Chairman said that Bangladesh was a friendly country to Sri Lanka as well as a long-time leading customer of the Port of Colombo. He also commended the support from Bangladesh in making the Port of Colombo a hub port in South Asia.

He emphasised the importance of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of Bangladesh, the Port of Colombo, the Port of Chittagong of Bangladesh and the other regional ports working together in a friendly and strategic manner, for the future development of the regional shipping industry. The discussion between the High Commissioner and the SLPA Chairman also included considering of the commencement of a regional cruise liner service covering Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other neighbour countries. An exchange of mementoes also took place between the High Commissioner and the SLPA Chairman at the end of the meeting.