Hanoi (VNA) - National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in Hanoi on May 5 during the latter's ongoing state visit to Vietnam and participation in the UN Day of Vesak Celebrations 2025.
Welcoming the Sri Lankan leader and his entourage, NA Chairman Man emphasised the significance of the visit, which comes as the two countries mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
He highlighted the long-standing traditional friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, noting the mutual support during their national construction and development efforts over the past 55 years.
"Vietnam always values Sri Lanka’s invaluable support during its past struggle for national independence, as well as in its ongoing renewal and international integration," he stressed.
The Vietnamese NA leader commended the Sri Lankan President and newly formed government for their effective leadership in stabilising the country, recovering from crisis, and steering the economy towards sustainable growth, with a current growth rate approaching 5%. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to further strengthening its comprehensive cooperation with Sri Lanka, based on mutual respect, equality and shared benefit.
Highlighting the growing ties between the two countries over the past 55 years, he noted that parliamentary cooperation has played an important role in deepening bilateral relations.
The Vietnamese legislature highly values the growing ties between the two legislative bodies, particularly through delegation exchanges, exchanges between friendship parliamentarians' groups, and experience sharing in legal and institutional development.
He welcomed the establishment of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group and called for the early signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two legislatures to promote exchanges of high-level delegations, legislative experience, and oversight practices, ultimately facilitating each country’s socio-economic development.
Chairman Man also called for enhanced coordination to effectively implement the outcomes of recent parliamentary exchanges, particularly the successful visit to Sri Lanka by NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai.
He welcomed Sri Lanka’s proposals on cooperation in expanding the textile and garment market, investing in agriculture and agro-aquatic processing, developing joint industrial or economic zones, and training personnel.
The top legislator expressed his hope that Sri Lanka will support the expansion of the Ho Chi Minh exhibition space at the Colombo Public Library, aiming to transform it into a meaningful destination for both Vietnamese and Sri Lankan people, as well as international visitors. He informed that the Vietnamese NA has already begun supplementing the exhibition with additional books, newspapers, and documents.
For his part, Sri Lankan President Dissanayaka congratulated Vietnam on the successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, and the upcoming United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations. He underscored the long-standing cultural and Buddhist connections between the two countries, calling them an important foundation for strengthening bilateral relations.
President Dissanayaka affirmed the time-tested friendship and mutual trust between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, saying the Sri Lankan people greatly admire President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese people's struggle for independence, along with the nation's remarkable socio-economic achievements at present. He also highlighted the vital role of Vietnam’s NA in building a legal framework that facilitates national development.
The two sides agreed to fully tap the potential of bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on enhancing economic ties, notably in sectors where both countries hold strengths.
The top Vietnamese legislator emphasised that Vietnam, with its dynamic and rapidly growing economy, is ready to step up cooperation with Sri Lanka in high-tech agriculture, seafood processing, textile and garment production, and information technology.
Vietnam will encourage businesses from both countries to strengthen connectivity and capitalise on free trade agreements to which Vietnam is a party to expand market access and boost two-way trade.
The Vietnamese NA pledges to create favourable legal and policy conditions to support Sri Lankan enterprises investing and operating in Vietnam, especially in processing and manufacturing, renewable energy, and digital technology, Man noted.
The Sri Lankan President highlighted the crucial role of the two parliaments in promoting practical and effective cooperation, particularly in sectors of mutual strength, and in addressing regional and global issues of shared concern.
He spoke highly of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group and the friendship associations between the two countries, proposing that both sides further step up delegation exchanges and experience sharing in government–parliament coordination, poverty reduction; enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation; and promote economic connectivity.
The two sides also agreed to continue their close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, while strengthening information sharing and viewpoint coordination on regional and global matters of mutual interest./.
