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Ranil says Hasina should have released Khalida Zia much earlier

06 Aug, 2024

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Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe says former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should have freed former Prime Minister Khalida Zia much earlier.

Addressing the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Summit 2024 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, Wickremesinghe said that if Hasina freed Zia earlier, the crisis in Bangladesh could have been avoided.

“I also welcome the fact that Khalida Zia had been released from jail. If Sheikh Hasina had done it long ago, she would have still been Prime Minister. Let?s hope there?s tranquillity in Bangladesh. I have no doubt there will be tranquillity,” he said.

Wickremesinghe also said that Sheikh Hasina gave Sri Lanka $200 million when the island was really in need of money.

“Think of a country like Bangladesh, which is in turmoil. I don?t want to speak about the politics of Bangladesh, a friendly country, but it had to erupt at some time. While Sheikh Hasina has left, I still remember her because she gave us $200 million when we were really in need of money. So I think it?s only fair to say some good word about a person who?s really down at the moment,” he said.

Hasina resigned from her post and fled the country over the weekend after thousands of protesters stormed the streets and even entered her official residence.

In scenes similar to that seen in Sri Lanka in 2022, the protesters stormed Government buildings, including Parliament and demanded her resignation. (Colombo Gazette)

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