Colombo (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam met Dr Dammika Patabendi, Sri Lankan Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group, in Colombo on November 25 to discuss measures to deepen bilateral cooperation, enhance parliamentary ties and increase people-to-people exchanges.
Dr Patabendi extended sympathy to Vietnamese communities affected by recent storms and floods. He noted that Sri Lanka is dealing with landslides caused by prolonged heavy rainfall in the central region. The minister also expressed interest in Vietnam’s preparations for the 14th National Party Congress, future national priorities and socio-economic development goals, and commended the country for its rapid economic progress.
For her part, Tam recalled the visit to Sri Lanka by National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai in March, affirming that it generated new momentum for parliamentary cooperation and strengthened traditional friendship. She appreciated the active role of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group since its establishment in March 2025, particularly in activities marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, with the attendance of both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament.
The diplomat also highlighted the State visit to Vietnam by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in May 2025 and his participation in the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations hosted by Vietnam, during which the two sides issued a Joint Statement affirming commitment to promoting cooperation in parliamentary affairs, the environment, trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, education and culture.
Tourism collaboration is also thriving, with around 3,000 Vietnamese tourists visiting Sri Lanka in the first 10 months of 2025. Both countries are working towards launching a direct flight in 2026. In education, 10 Sri Lankan students have recently received full scholarships to study Vietnamese-language degree programmes at major universities in Vietnam.
Regarding sectoral cooperation, Tam underlined strong potential in environmental collaboration, including waste management, nature and marine conservation, climate change response and green growth, suggesting both sides consider establishing appropriate cooperation frameworks. The ambassador also proposed further strengthening parliamentary exchanges and invited the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Sri Lanka–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group to visit Vietnam in an appropriate time.
Minister Patabendi welcomed the proposals, emphasising that Vietnam remains an important partner for Sri Lanka in Southeast Asia, and affirmed Sri Lanka’s intention to expand collaboration in mutually beneficial fields. He supported the idea of signing a Memorandum of Understanding on environmental cooperation.
The minister informed the ambassador that he will attend the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Kenya in December, where Sri Lanka plans to submit a resolution on the role of youth in environmental protection, and expressed hope for Vietnam’s support. He also indicated interest in holding a bilateral meeting with Vietanmese officials on the sidelines of the event.
As Chairman of the Sri Lanka-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group, Dr Patabendi affirmed continued coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy on planned activities in 2026, including celebrations marking 15 years since the reopening of the Vietnamese Embassy in Colombo and the development of a Ho Chi Minh memorial site at the Colombo Public Library. He also pledged to further expand inter-parliamentary exchange programmes.
Both sides agreed to maintain close cooperation in implementing agreements reached by senior leaders, thereby promoting more substantive and effective Vietnam–Sri Lanka relations in the future./.
