COLOMBO : Ambassador of Viet Nam to Sri Lanka, Trinh Thi Tam met
with the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil
Senevi to discuss the longstanding friendship between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka, focusing on
religious, cultural and people-to-people ties.
The meeting held on On February 13, highlighted the opportunities to strengthen these connections
During the meeting, the Ambassador congratulated the Minister on his recent appointment,
expressing confidence that his dedication and experience would enhance the relationship
between the two nations. In response, Hon. Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi praised the late
President Ho Chi Minh for his role in Viet Nam’s independence. The Minister shared
handwritten scripts of his efforts to translate the Vietnamese book “Last Night I Dreamed of
Peace” (the Diary of Doctor Dang Thuy Tram, a Vietnamese martyr in Viet Nam War) into
Sinhalese, aimed at introducing Viet Nam’s story to younger generations of Sri Lanka. The
Minister also thanked the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka for their support in this
translation.
Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam commended the Minister’s efforts in making Vietnamese
literature more accessible to Sri Lankans and suggested releasing the translated book
alongside the 55th Anniversary celebration of Viet Nam – Sri Lanka Diplomatic Relations in
July 2025. She took the opportunity to outline a series of activities planned by the Embassy
of Viet Nam in Colombo to mark this significant occasion, requesting the Ministry’s support
and cooperation.
The Ambassador briefed the Minister of the 20th UN Day of Vesak to be hosted by Viet Nam
in May 2025 and sought the Minister’s assistance in Sri Lankan high level attendance. She
also expressed interest of establishing partnership among cities of the same characteristics
between the two countries. The Minister assured ongoing support from himself and the
Ministry for future Embassy activities and extended an invitation for the Ambassador to visit
Sri Lanka’s historical and cultural sites, such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
This meeting marked a promising step towards strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties
between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka, with mutual understanding.
