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To mark 50 years of bilateral relation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) organised the conference ‘50 Years of Vietnam – Sri Lanka Relations: Achievements and Prospects’ in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, Sri Lanka Embassy in Ha Noi, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) of the Vietnam Institute for Indian & Southwest Asian Studies (VIISAS), and the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka.

The conference held at the Lighthouse Auditorium on Tuesday, 22 September 2020 was graced by the State Minister of Regional Cooperation, Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya; Foreign Secretary, Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage;  Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, H.E Pham Thi Bich Ngoc; and Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Vietnam, H.E Prasanna Gamage and other distinguished guests.

Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation, Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke; and the former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy spoke on Vietnam – Sri Lanka Relations in the new international order and enhancing bilateral and regional economic relations during the panel discussions.

The Vice President of VASS Prof. Dang Nguyen Anh; Director-General VIISAS/VASS,  Associate Prof. Nguyen Xuan Trung; Senior Lecturer, Vietnam Academy of Diplomacy and former Ambassador of Vietnam to Sri Lanka, Dr. Ton Sinh Thanh; and Researcher VIISAS Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh representing Vietnam joined online.

Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, the Executive Director LKI, moderated the panel discussion and summarised the proceedings.

The conference, also attended by university students and think tanks created a platform for both the diplomatic and academic community to explore opportunities and challenges in deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Please click this link for the Press Release issued by the Foreign Ministry: