Vietnam - Sri Lanka Cooperation has Ample Room for Development

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Information sharing session about Sri Lanka organized by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations in coordination with the Embassy of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, in Hanoi, on March 12. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

At the event, Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, highlighted the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and Sri Lankan leaders. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were officially established on July 21, 1970. Over the past 55 years, their relationship has grown significantly, encompassing areas such as politics, economics, and culture. Numerous high-level visits have taken place, and the people of both countries have supported each other, especially during the fight for independence.

Phan Anh Son emphasized that Vietnam and Sri Lanka share commonalities in history, culture, and religion. He stressed the need for continued collaboration between the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Vietnam to strengthen bilateral relations commensurate with their potential further.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vietnam, Poshitha Perera, provided insights into Sri Lanka's history, political and economic landscape, foreign policies, and areas of strength, while also discussing the potential for cooperation between the two countries.

Regarding relations with Vietnam, Ambassador Poshitha Perera expressed the deep affection of the Sri Lankan people for Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. The two countries have signed important cooperation documents, such as Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement; Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement; Air Transport Agreement; and Memorandums of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education, tourism, and culture.

Vietnam - Sri Lanka exchanges in Buddhism are actively taking place. The two countries regularly exchange working delegations. In 2018 and 2023, Sri Lanka presented Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam Province) and Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh Province) with two branches grafted from the "Great Auspicious Bodhi Tree" (Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi) at Mahamegha Relic, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. In 2024, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the All-Island Buddha Sasana Council of Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in Buddhist education and charity work.

On the economic front, total trade turnover between Vietnam and Sri Lanka reached approximately USD 225 million in 2023. By 2022, Sri Lankan investors had funded 27 projects in Vietnam with a total capital of USD 40.9 million, while Vietnam invested USD 300,000 in Sri Lanka. Key sectors of cooperation include agriculture, information and communication technology, pharmaceuticals, garments, port cities, and transportation. Ambassador Perera encouraged Vietnamese investors to explore Sri Lanka's investment opportunities and potential.

During the session, Ambassador Perera also addressed questions from Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations officials regarding Sri Lanka's policies, socio-economic conditions, and avenues for cooperation with Vietnam.

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