Bangladesh will never face situation like Sri Lanka: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed her firm conviction that Bangladesh will never plunge into Sri Lanka-like situation for its development spree, rather the country will continue to move ahead overcoming all global challenges. 

"Remember one thing (my party leaders and activists) that Bangladesh will never be Sri Lanka, can't be . . .," she said at a discussion as the chief guest.

The premier, however, said that Bangladesh had to face Sri Lanka-like situation during the regime of BNP, but Awami League (AL) government has pulled the country out of that state. 

Dhaka South City AL and Dhaka North City AL jointly organized the discussion in the capital of Dhaka's Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), marking the National Mourning Day and 47th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sheikh Hasina, also the ruling AL President, said during BNP's regime from 2001 to 2006, Bangladesh became the champion in corruption five consecutive times, while the country saw a huge price hike of essential commodities, and scarcity of electricity, water and employment. 

She also said Bangladesh witnessed militancy, terrorism, grenade attack, August 21 grade attack, grenade attack in 500 places across the country, former finance minister Kibria's murder and bomb attack in many places as well. 

She added, "Bangladesh's economy came to standstill due to terrorism, militancy and corruption." 

The prime minister continued that people at that time (BNP's regime) took to the street, actually, they were compelled to come down on the street.

She went on saying that, "AL government has rescued the country from that state. So, why will Bangladesh become Sri Lanka today?"

With Dhaka South City AL President Freedom Fighter Abu Ahmed Mannafi in the chair, Dhaka North AL General Secretary SM Mannan Kochi moderated the discussion.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Dhaka North City AL Adviser and Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam, Dhaka North City AL President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, Dhaka South City AL General Secretary Humayun Kabir, North AL Vice President Sadek Khan, South AL Vice President Advocate Nurul Amin Ruhul, North AL Vice President Freedom Fighter MA Quader Khan and South City AL Vice President Shaheed Serniyabat, among others, also spoke. 

Source: BSS