President Sirisena thanks Bangladesh, calls for deeper cooperation on climate change and disaster ma

President Maithripala Sirisena expressed his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for Bangladesh’s generous cash assistance to the flood-affected people of Sri Lanka as Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Amb. Riaz Hamidullah handed over a cheque of $ 500,000 to the Sri Lankan President recently. 

He also expressed his sadness at the loss of lives and properties in Bangladesh due to landslides last week. Recognising Bangladesh’s decades of knowledge and expertise in disaster management and climate change adaptation, President Sirisena conveyed Sri Lanka’s interest to address the challenges in Sri Lanka. In late May, Sri Lanka was devastated by sudden onset of floods that claimed 300 lives and caused significant loss to Sri Lankan economy which was already suffering from a prolonged draught. 

The President recalled Bangladesh’s support to Sri Lanka at the UN during difficult times. Recalling multi-faceted relationship and engagements between the two countries and peoples, President Sirisena shared his perspectives with the High Commissioner on his first official visit (as the President) to Bangladesh next month. He also handed over to the High Commissioner a letter of appreciation to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister.