Vietnamese delegation calls for enhancing ties with Sri Lanka

A Vietnamese delegation visiting Sri Lanka has expressed interest in increasing solidarity and enhancing ties between the two countries.

The delegation headed by the Vice chairperson of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, accompanied by Vietnamese parliamentarians and the Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ton Sinh Thanh, called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week at Temple Trees.

The delegation told President Rajapaksa that they were very happy about Sri Lanka’s ability to overcome insurgency and were keen on enhancing relations between the two countries.

During the meeting Ms. Ngan commended the development in Sri Lanka following the end of the conflict and three-decade long terrorism.

“Over the years, we’ve watched the developments in Sri Lanka, and we are very happy at your ability to overcome insurgency,” Ms. Ngan said.

President Rajapaksa invited the delegation to visit north to see the development in the region themselves, noting that presence of landmines is still one of the main problems impeding the development of the region.

The Vietnamese leader commented that her country is still not de-mined totally even 40 years after the war.

Ms. Ngan extended an invitation to President Rajapaksa to visit Vietnam again and the President agreed.

The delegation also expressed an interest in increasing solidarity and enhancing ties between the two countries because of the cultural and religious similarities noting that Vietnamese Buddhists are also very keen on visiting Sri Lanka on pilgrimages.

Secretary-General of Parliament W.B.D. Dasanayake and Secretary of External Affairs Karunatilaka Amunugama joined the meeting.