The Vietnam–Sri Lanka Friendship Association was set up in Hanoi on September 26 the aim of boosting the multi-faced cooperation between the two countries for mutual benefit, as well as for peace and development in the region and beyond.

During its first congress, Pham Van Linh, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Popularisation and Education, was elected as Chairman of the association for the 2014-2019 tenure.

Addressing the event, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Nguyen Thi Hoang Van said the association’s establishment is a new development in the bilateral friendship, cooperation and people-to-people exchange, bridging their links in the fields of politics, economics and culture.

She affirmed that the association’s responsibilities and visions are in line with the country’s foreign policy, expressing her hope that the association will carry out a plenty of activities in a proactive and effective manner in a bid to boost bilateral multi-dimensional ties.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vietnam K.G Ivan Amarasinghe promised that his embassy will closely coordinate with the association in implementing its agenda.

On the occasion, Chairman Pham Van Linh awarded the Friendship Medal to S.Sudasinghe, Deputy General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Communist Party and Secretary General of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Solidarity Association, in recognition of his substantial contributions to promoting the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.-VNA