President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, currently on a state visit to Vietnam, was warmly welcomed today (05) by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong in a ceremonial reception held at the Presidential Palace.
Upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace this morning, President Dissanayake was honored with a formal tri-services salute and took part in observing the ceremonial parade conducted by the Vietnamese armed forces.
During the official reception, the national anthems of both Sri Lanka and Vietnam were played in tribute, following which the two leaders introduced the members of their respective delegations.
Subsequently, bilateral discussions between the two nations commenced, focusing on progress reviews, future collaboration, and the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
This high-level visit aims to further strengthen political trust and foster practical and productive cooperation in a range of sectors between the two countries.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka have maintained strong diplomatic relations since 1970. Over the years, the partnership has grown steadily, with annual bilateral trade—largely comprising exports—reaching approximately USD 200 million. Both nations are now striving to elevate this figure to USD 1 billion in the near future.
This year marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. As both countries celebrate this milestone, they remain committed to deepening their longstanding friendship through mutual trust and aligned development goals.
President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s enduring commitment to its traditional ties with Vietnam and reflects a shared resolve to expand cooperation—not only in conventional areas—but also in emerging sectors such as digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence, and enhanced connectivity.
