RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO : Bangladesh High Commissioner in Colombo Tareq Mohamed Ariful Islam hosted an iftar-dinner banquet at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo on Wednesday, April 12.
The evening event which was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, private and public sector officials, media men and the country’s expatriates and well-wishers, was also attended by community leaders and members of the clergy.
The high commissioner delivered the welcome address, while the chief guest Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that he was pleased to see the presence of a galaxy of invitees who had come to breakfast during the pleasant evening.
Recalling last year iftar party hosted by the Bangladesh high commission, Sabry said since then Sri Lanka has taken forward march gradually overcoming the obstacles with the help of countries like Bangladesh and other friendly nations who gave Sri Lanka a helping hand.
Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Foreign Minister Ali Sabry thanked the Bangladesh government and it’s people for their unwavering support and said the assistance rendered by Bangladesh when Sri Lanka was beset by issues is greatly appreciated.
“I am thankful for the assistance extended by the Bangladesh government and it’s citizens. On my last visit to Bangladesh the Hon. Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina told me that Sri Lanka is the first and only country to which Bangladesh had provided foreign loan assistance. This gesture is greatly appreciated by the Sri Lankans and we hope to repay the loan in the coming months,” Sabry said.
Bangladesh High Commissioner, Tareq Md Ariful Islam said that he was happy to see the difference in the country’s atmosphere from the Iftar hosted last year and the present one.
“I remember the Iftar hosted last year. The atmosphere in the country and amongst attendees was tense. But today the country and the attendees seem more relaxed and optimistic. I am glad to see this positive change, Islam said.
The high commissioner added that the diversity in Sri Lanka mirrored that of Bangladesh. He ended his speech by a quotation from Prime Minister Hasina, “Religious faiths are personal but festivities are universal. This has always been there in Bangladesh.”
