Bangladesh has sent emergency medical supplies worth $2.3 million to crisis-hit Sri Lanka as the island country faces the worst economic crisis since 1948, resulting in a shortage of food, fuel, and other essentials. Earlier, Dhaka had also provided $200 million in the form currency swap to Colombo. At a token handover ceremony held in Dhaka, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Health Minister Zahid Maleque handed over a few boxes of medicines to Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sudharshan D.S. Seneviratne, The Morning reported.

Debt-ridden Sri Lanka last month announced pre-mature default on its external loan, totaling over $51 billion, as its usable foreign exchange reserves came down to just $50 million this, making it extremely hard for the government to pay for essential imports. India, which has extended assistance worth almost $3 billion this year, has also been sending medical supplies.

At the handover ceremony, Momen described the supply of 65 types of medicines and equipment as an expression of solidarity and friendship between the two countries as Dhaka and Colombo celebrate 50 years of their diplomatic relations.

Separately, Tamil Nadu, India's southern state, with deep cultural and ethnic ties with Sri Lanka, also extended emergency aid worth over $17 million to help the country. On Thursday, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s embattled prime minister, thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin for generous assistance.

Meanwhile, the World Bank is also expected to announce a grant of $500 million for the purchase of medical supplies for the country. Sri Lanka’s public health system, which was reputed to be the best among South Asian countries, has been hit hard by the ongoing crisis, due to the shortage of supplies.

(SAM)