Sri Lanka President Sirisena calls for direct Dhaka-Colombo flight

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has called for a direct Dhaka-Colombo flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

He made the call at a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Japan’s Nagoya on Saturday, her Principal Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters.

He said Hasina had assured Sirisena of considering his request.

Ihsanul Karim said the two leaders discussed the flood situation in Sri Lanka besides other bilateral issues.

Sirisena listed his country’s requirements to be able to tackle the situation, Karim said.

The prime minister has already cleared Tk 100 million as aid for Sri Lanka and ordered an extension of  further help, Karim added.

Over 40 persons died in recent landslides and floods following heavy rainstorms in Sri Lanka. According to the media, around 350,000 people have been displaced.

Karim said the two leaders agreed to enhance the ‘age-old’ ties between Colombo and Dhaka further.

The prime minister urged the Sri Lankan president to import medicine and jute products from Bangladesh, he said.

Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said Sirisena was eager to visit Bangladesh in December.

Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Mohammad Mesbahuddin said Hasina and Sirisena discussed Sri Lanka’s initiative to transfer the money of expatriates of SAARC countries.

“Citizens of SAARC countries working abroad send a huge amount of foreign currencies which do not flow through us. Sri Lanka wants to build a financial institute so that the money can be flown through the SAARC countries. Sri Lanka has developed a concept in this regard,” Mesbahuddin said.

Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake informed Sheikh Hasina about the initiative, he said.

“We’ve said we will take steps after studying their proposal,” he added.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali was also present at the meeting.