All attempts to contact Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardana for further clarification proved futile at the time of going to print. As per the information revealed by the Cabinet, the agreement will foster mutual co-operation and administrative assistance on customs activities between both the countries. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is also expected to sign the proposed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Bangladesh by early 2022. According to local reports, the bilateral discussions involved a variety of sectors including agriculture, trade, defence, investment, maritime connectivity, education, health, and tourism, among others. Becoming a sovereign nation in 1971, Bangladesh established formal diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka the following year.

Source: The Nation August 14, 2021 18:56 UTC