The Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to Bangladesh—to join celebrations marking the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—comes against the backdrop of a devastating pandemic and thus an increased awareness on both sides of the need for deeper engagement to combat its economic fallout. It was, therefore, good to see the spirit of cooperation and bonhomie that came from both camps. This signals their willingness to take their relations to the next level.