Sri Lanka sees Viet Nam as source of inspiration: President Dissanayaka
VGP – Sri Lanka considers Viet Nam as a source of inspiration and encouragement, said President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.
Prime Minister Pham MInh Chinh (right) and President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka before their summit meeting in Ha Noi, May 5, 2025. Photo: VGP
President Dissanayaka, who is on a three-day State visit to Viet Nam, made the above statemen during his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Ha Noi on Monday.
He expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese people's indomitable spirit and consistent struggle in the process of gaining national independence and reunification in the past, as well as in the current course of national construction and development.
Dissanayaka spoke highly of Viet Nam's successful development model as the Southeast Asian nation is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and a hub of production, innovation and foreign investment.
Prime Minister Pham welcomed Dissanayaka's first visit to Viet Nam, saying Viet Nam and Sri Lanka share the common aspiration for peace, independence, freedom and happiness.
President Ho Chi Minh, a beloved leader of the Vietnamese people, visited Sri Lanka in 1911, 1928 and 1946 as part of his tour around the world to seek ways for national salvation, which laid foundation for the friendship and affections between the two countries, Pham recalled.
Building on the warm relations and high-level of political trust, the two leaders agreed to continue consolidating cooperation across fields and to uplift the bilateral ties to the next level.
Both sides agreed to increase the frequency of high-level visits and contacts, effectively implement the existing cooperation mechanisms, especially the Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and promote the signing of new cooperation agreements in accordance with each side's conditions and demand.
The two leaders agreed to work together to further raise the two-way trade to US$1 billion and to explore the possibility of signing a free trade agreement and investment protection agreement in the time to come.
They also agreed to expand cooperation in digital transformation, green transition, high-tech agriculture, science and technology, especially emerging technologies.
On multilateral cooperation, the two leaders agreed to step up coordination and mutual support as close and trusted friends at regional and international forums.
During his stay in Viet Nam, President Disanayaka attended the UN Day of Vesak celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City on May 6 as Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address, reaffirming longstanding Buddhist ties between the two countries./.
