Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody, accompanied by Minister Counsellor / Commerce Srimali Jayarathne, paid a courtesy call on Hon. Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Md Touhid Hossain, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh on 03 June 2025. During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of bilateral matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, information and communication technology (ICT), education, and tourism .
High Commissioner Weerakkody highlighted the growing economic and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He noted that Sri Lanka is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Bangladeshi tourists and emphasized the potential for further collaboration in the tourism sector. He also briefed on the upcoming visit of a delegation from the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) to Sri Lanka, scheduled for 16–20 June 2025, aimed at further strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries. Additionally, High Commissioner Weerakkody expressed appreciation to the Hon. Adviser for Foreign Affairs for his participation in the 24th Council of Ministers (COM) Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), held virtually on 21 May 2025 under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism of Sri Lanka.
Hon. Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Md Touhid Hossain emphasized the importance of holding the next round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the earliest opportunity to sustain the momentum of growing bilateral relations and advised both sides to expedite preparations.
Highlighting the capacity and potential of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, Hon. Adviser for Foreign Affairs noted that Sri Lanka could greatly benefit from expanding import of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh.
The Director General of the South Asia Division, Ishrat Jahan, and the Director of the South Asia Division, Md Manuar Mukarram, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, joined the meeting.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Dhaka
04 June 2025
