(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –The Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka Ho Thi Thanh Truc called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday(20).
During the meeting, the Vietnamese Ambassador expressed confidence that there are many opportunities for enhancing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam in the coming years. She said there is a lot of potential for Sri Lanka to attract investment opportunities from Vietnam.
In 2019 alone, trade between the two countries exceeded US $ 300 million, the ambassador pointed out.
In addition to investments, the Ambassador said that her country was interested in enhancing Buddhist relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Agreeing to the suggestion, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out that bilateral relations could be established in a manner that is important to the people of both countries based on their historical Buddhist heritage.
Ms. Truc said exchange of Buddhist programs with Haritha TV has already begun.
The discussion between the PM and the Vietnamese envoy focused on the establishment of a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka and the exchange of academic programs between religious leaders and students of the two countries. It was also mentioned that about a hundred Vietnamese Buddhist monks are currently studying in Sri Lanka.
Attention was also drawn to the organization of study observation tours of Members of Parliament to improve parliamentary relations between the two countries, and the continuation of existing cooperation programs between the two countries.
Ms. Ho Thi Thanh Truc has been the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Sri Lanka since March 2021.
