Hanoi (VNA) – Chairman of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Solidarity Association (SVSA) Sudasinghe Sugathapala has suggested that Vietnam and Sri Lanka prioritise economic cooperation beyond traditional trade in goods to elevate bilateral ties.
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondents in South Asia on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka (July 21, 1970 – 2025), Sudasinghe stressed the importance of expanding people-to-people exchanges through education and tourism. He further stated that the launch of direct flights between the two countries would significantly bolster bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism.
According to Sudasinghe, over the past 55 years, Vietnam and Sri Lanka have built a solid relationship grounded in mutual respect and collaboration. Their ties, he noted, originated during the struggle for independence and solidarity within the Non-Aligned Movement—laying a strong foundation for political trust. Over time, the relationship has evolved from ideological support into practical cooperation across trade, education, and cultural exchange.
Key milestones include three visits to Sri Lanka by President Ho Chi Minh in 1911, 1928, and 1946; the opening of diplomatic missions in Colombo in 1971 and Hanoi in 2003; and high-level exchanges between the two countries, including President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to Sri Lanka and President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Vietnam in 2011; Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh’s visit to Sri Lanka in 2013; Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to Vietnam in 2017; and, most recently, the official visit by President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka to Vietnam in May 2025.
He also highlighted the expansion of bilateral trade and the two nations’ close cooperation at international forums such as the United Nations as further examples of deepening partnership. This steady progress, he said, underscores the commitment of both countries to leveraging historical ties for shared development goals.
Looking ahead, Sudasinghe expressed optimism that Vietnam–Sri Lanka relations will deepen over the next decade in response to regional fluctuations such as strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific region and global economic restructuring. He said both countries have complementary strengths: Vietnam’s robust manufacturing and export capacity, and Sri Lanka’s strategic location as a maritime hub.
Current opportunities lie in expanding trade, investing in infrastructure, and enhancing cooperation on climate change, particularly as both nations face growing environmental challenges.
The challenges include navigating pressure from larger regional powers and addressing internal development disparities. How the two countries manage these issues will shape a resilient, forward-looking partnership adaptable to a dynamic geopolitical landscape.
Sudasinghe also underscored the importance of coordinated diplomacy at international forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement and ASEAN-related platforms, which can amplify the voices of both countries on global issues including peace, sustainable development, and environmental protection.
It is necessary for both sides to foster open dialogue to anticipate challenges and align their priorities to build a proactive partnership rather than a passive one, he added./.
