“AL rescued Bangladesh from Sri Lanka-like situation during BNP rule”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (August 30, 2022) expressed her firm belief that Bangladesh will never plunge into a Sri Lanka-like situation, rather the country will continue to move ahead overcoming all global challenges.

"Remember one thing (AL leaders and activists), Bangladesh will never be Sri Lanka, it 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 government has pulled the country out of that state.

Dhaka South City AL and Dhaka North City AL jointly organised the discussion in 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 AL President, said during BNP's regime in 2001-2006, Bangladesh became "champion" in corruption for five consecutive times, while the country saw huge price hike of essential commodities, and scarcity of electricity, water and employment.

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

She added that, "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.

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.