RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — In a significant step towards bolstering bilateral relations, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Trinh Thi Tam, met with Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake at the Parliament Complex on Friday February 7.
During the meeting, Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam extended her congratulations to Minister Rathnayake on his appointment. She also expressed the deep gratitude to the support of Minister Rathnayake in the role of JVP’s Head of Foreign Affairs at the commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam on February 3, 2025.
The Ambassador expressed a desire to enhance party-to-party and government-to-government relations, given the context the two countries are celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. She cited a list of activities the Embassy of Viet Nam in Colombo, in close coordination with relevant Ministries and Agencies of Sri Lanka, plan to perform, aimed at enhancing cooperation in a more efficient and practical manner, in all sectors, including trade, transport, aviation, infrastructure, logistics. The Ambassador also expressed hope that the 5th Joint Committee Meeting at Foreign Minister level to be hosted by Sri Lanka this year will address issues of mutual concern in bilateral cooperation, for mutual benefit. Regarding economic collaborations, Ambassador Trinh highlighted the interest of Sri Lankan businesses in importing electric vehicles from Viet Nam. With an existing air service agreement, efforts to establish direct flights between the two countries are underway.
Minister Rathnayake highlighted the close connection between his party -JVP- with the Communist Party of Viet Nam, President Ho Chi Minh as well with the Embassy of Viet Nam in Colombo. He emphasized the historical ties between the two nations and voiced support for future collaborations, including the exchange of delegations at all level and channels as well as bilateral meetings at the sidelines of international events. As the Leader of the House of Parliament in Sri Lanka, he took this opportunity to announce plans to reinstate the Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Association, and propose Viet Nam’s collaboration with the Women’s Parliamentary Committee, a prominent group within the Sri Lankan Parliament. In the capacity of Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, he expressed interest in developing infrastructure, including transportation and port expansion. He was also interested in the possibility of creating a Sri Lanka-Viet Nam Commerce Council to facilitated trade cooperation.
In response to the Ambassador’s proposal on promoting electric vehicles, Minister Rathnayake revealed plans for an upcoming conference on electric vehicles, acknowledging the current lack of charging infrastructure in Sri Lanka. Minister expressed support for activities to help tighten cultural, Buddhist ties as well as people-to-people links between the two nations; he welcomed the proposal by the Embassy regarding a street in Colombo named after President Ho Chi Minh, agreed to address it to relevant Sri Lankan authorities for more consideration.
The meeting concluded with mutual appreciation for the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
