Online Desk: Sri Lanka paid back Bangladesh $50 million of loans, which is one fourth of the $200 million given by Dhaka in 2021. Bangladesh Bank received the first instalment of the payment on August 17, Md Mezbaul Haque, executive director and spokesperson of the central bank, said.

The crisis-hit nation will pay another instalment within August 30, he said. However, Haque did not say how much Sri Lanka will pay as the second instalment. He said the central bank hopes the Island country will clear the whole payment of $200 million by September this year.

Bangladesh lent the money to Sri Lanka in three instalments under a currency swap agreement. The first tranche of $50 million was sent on August 19, the second instalment of $100 million on August 30 and the rest $50 million in September of 2021.