Dhaka: Criticizing the fund withdrawal by the World Bank in the Padma Bridge project, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the international agencies which brought false allegations have now got lessons that no conspiracy against the people of Bangladesh would work.

‘They’ve now got such lessons that none would be able to hatch conspiracy anymore to force Bangalees to keep their heads down. Our goal is to move the country forward and we’re working tirelessly to this end,’ she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking after formally handing over the Independence Award, 2017 to the recipients and their representatives at a function in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

In February this year, a court in Canada acquitted three business executives of charges that SNC‐Lavalin Group Inc staff planned to bribe Bangladesh officials in a bid to win a $50 million contract to supervise the Padma Bridge construction.

‘The Federal Court of Canada gave verdict that the allegation was false, fabricated and fake and there was no truth behind the allegation. Such verdict of the court has further brightened the image of Bangladesh in the international arena,’ she said.

The Prime Minister said that her government had earlier announced to build the Padma Bridge project with its own fund and the work is going on in full swing.

At the programme, she handed over the Independence Award 2017, the highest t State award of the county, to Bangladesh Air Force and 15 persons for their outstanding contributions at national level.