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Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
VIET NAM SRI LANKA COOPERATION FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SECTORS
During a farewell call on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on 12 January 2021, the Ambassador of Viet Nam in Colombo, Pham ThiBich Ngoc endorsed that Sri Lanka and Viet Nam have immense potential for cooperation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The Ambassador stated that Vietnam can share their best practices, knowledge and technology transfer, in particular. Minister Gunawardena emphasized areas such as the canning industry, especially fish canning, fish feed production which are areas that Viet Nam can offer assistance to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Pham ThiBich Ngoc further said that such collaboration in the fisheries sector will no doubt contribute in uplifting rural fishing, and fish farming in Batticaloa and Mullaithivu. Discussing further on agricultural sector cooperation, the Ambassador underscored that there is much potential in coffee, pepper and rubber, where Viet Nam can provide know how for cultivation. They both agreed that in order to advance trade relations between the two countries, it is important to pursue a Preferential Trade Agreement.
Minister Gunawardena emphasized the importance of strengthening ties in areas of tourism, democracy and education cooperation. Moreover, the Minister referred to close connections that Sri Lanka had with the great leader of Viet Nam Ho Chi Minh and Madame Nguyen Thi Binh, Foreign Minister of the Revolutionary Government of Vietnam who worked closely with Sri Lanka in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The Minister highlighted the importance of partnership in amity in international platforms to overcome national security threats. The Ambassador of Viet Nam expressed their fullest support for Sri Lanka’s bid for Sectoral Dialogue Partnership status in ASEAN.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2020. Vietnam and Sri Lanka have enjoyed deep rooted friendly relations for centuries. This relationship is based on cultural and historical similarities and most importantly the common heritage of Buddhism as a strong binding thread between the people of the two countries. The historical records indicate that Buddhism was introduced to South of Vietnam around the 17th century and it is believed that Sri Lankan priests contributed towards the establishment of Theravada Buddhism in Southern Vietnam.
In 2014, Sri Lanka issued a stamp to mark President Ho Chi Minh’s 124th birthday. Sri Lanka also unveiled the bust of President Ho Chi Minh at the Colombo Public Library on 23 November 2013, signifying the importance of bilateral ties.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
13 January 2021
New Year message of Hon. A.U.M Ali Sabry, Minister of Foreign Affairs
FOREIGN MINISTER SEEKS ASSISTANCE TO BOOST FDIS FROM HONORARY CONSULS BASED IN COLOMBO
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena sought the assistance of Honorary Consuls based in Colombo to encourage foreign investors to invest in Sri Lanka. The Minister made this request at a meeting held yesterday (11 January) with the Honorary Consuls based in Colombo, at the Foreign Ministry. The meeting was held in compliance with the Covid-19 health guidelines.
Minister Gunawardena further reiterated the importance of mutually assisting each other to revive the world economy, as a collective effort amidst the pandemic.
Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, speaking to the gathering, explained that the weather conditions of the previous year had a positive impact on the tea production of the country. Hence, Sri Lanka is in an advantageous position to market its quality tea worldwide.
State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya also explained the State Ministry’s role of positively promoting Regional Cooperation under three pillars, in line with the vision and guidance of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The State Minister expressed hope on the assistance of all stakeholders concerned towards this endeavor.
The meeting also created a platform for a dialogue between the Honorary Consuls and the Foreign Ministry officials in current topics which included ways and means of bringing investors to Sri Lanka during the period of the pandemic, opening the airport for tourists, and the new Foreign Policy of Sri Lanka.
Representing the Ministry, the Foreign Minister, State Minister of Regional Cooperation, Foreign Secretary and Senior Officials participated at the meeting.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
12 January 2021
Video Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=
New Year message of H.E Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka
FOREIGN MINISTER DINESH GUNAWARDENA ASSURES THE EARLY RESUMPTION OF MEDICAL TOURISM FOR SEYCHELLOIS
The outgoing High Commissioner of Seychelles in Colombo Conrad Vincent Mederic called on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Foreign Ministry on 08 January 2021.
The Foreign Minister complemented the High Commissioner Mederic for his outstanding and significant contributions towards enhancing Sri Lanka - Seychelles relations during his tenure including the Presidential visits in 2017 and 2018 as the first High Commissioner of Seychelles to Sri Lanka. While acknowledging the staunch support extended by Seychelles to Sri Lanka in the realm of multilateral and international fora, Foreign Minister Gunawardena reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to enhance close collaboration in areas of trade, agriculture medical tourism, blue economy, hospitality, financial sector and information technology.
While offering New Year greetings to the people of Sri Lanka from the President and the Foreign Minister of Seychelles, High Commissioner Mederic underlined the importance of fruitful cooperation between Sri Lanka and Seychelles which has a huge potential to reach new heights in the post Covid world. The High Commissioner also apprised the opportunities open for Sri Lankan professionals and skilled workers in Seychelles in numerous fields such as in education, health, financial and tourism sectors.
The High Commissioner also commended on the state of the art service rendered by hospitality and health industries of Sri Lanka by which several people of Seychelles benefit annually. Foreign Minister Gunawardena assured the envoy the early resumption of medical tourism for the Seychellois people. The Foreign Minister and the High Commissioner also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including Covid-19 pandemic, maritime security, human trafficking, drug smuggling and transnational crimes.
Despite the closure of the High Commission of Seychelles in Colombo due to economic constraints posed by the Covid crisis, the High Commissioner handed over a letter to the Foreign Minister seeking permission to appoint a Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka.
As Indian Ocean nations, both parties agreed to consolidate the existing relations embracing new areas of cooperation in the years ahead.
Foreign Ministry
Colombo
10 January 2021
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