Sri Lanka and Vietnam have considered expanding and intensifying cooperation in new areas such as aviation, tourism and aquatic products to complement the existing ties in national defence and security, as well as trade and investment.
The talks on bilateral cooperation took place when Sri Lanka's Speaker Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, who was on an official visit to Hanoi, met the Vietnamese President H.E. Truong Tan Sang on Monday the 15th July 2013 for discussions.
Expressing Sri Lanka's gratitude to Vietnam for its support to Sri Lanka in the areas of human rights and territorial sovereignty, Hon. Speaker noted the success of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and the need for further enhancement of those ties. He also noted the fruitful results of bilateral co-operation since diplomatic ties were established in 1970.
Noting improvements in two-way trade, which had hovered at US$1 billion in recent years, the Vietnam President recommended that the two countries intensify exchanges of delegations at all levels as well as fortify the implementation of signed deals.
For his part, President H.E. Sang expressed his delight at the significant achievements Sri Lanka had achieved in socio-economic development. He said he hoped Sri Lanka and its people would become more prosperous.
The Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Hon. Nguyen Sinh Hung expressed his hope that Speaker Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa's visit would further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
He noted that Vietnam and Sri Lanka had cultivated ties in economics, trade and investment, but the ties have not reached their full potential yet. Vietnam wished to step up co-operation with Sri Lanka in areas related to both countries' strengths and needs such as agriculture, aquaculture, infrastructure development, culture, education and national defence and security.
Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman congratulated Sri Lanka on its significant achievements in maintaining peace, stability, national concord and reconciliation as well as the triumphs in its efforts in national construction and reconstruction.
Hon. Rajapaksa thanked Vietnam for its support to Sri Lanka in regard to national construction and reconstruction and Vietnam National Assembly leader affirmed his country's consistent policy of attaching importance to developing the traditional friendship and multifaceted co-operation with Sri Lanka.
Hon. Speaker was accompanied by Prof. Tissa Vitarana, Senior Minister of Scientific Affairs, Hon. Dayasritha Tisera, Minister of State Resources and Enterprise Development, Hon. W.B. Ekanayake, Deputy Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, MP, Hon Mohan Priyadharshana De Silva, Hon. Palitha Range Bandara, MP Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi and Mr. W.B.D. Dasanayake, Secretary General of Parliament.
2026-08-21
The Supplementary Estimate to provide Rs. 7500 million required by the Government to purchase paddy from the 2026 Yala season was approved by Parliament today (Aug. 21). The debate on the Supplementary Estimate was held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.The Supplementary Estimate was presented to allocate Rs. 7500 million from the funds allocated for projects/programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for 2026, which are expected to remain unutilized during the year, for the purchase of paddy.
2026-08-21
A minute of silence observed in the Chamber to express condolencesParliament today (Aug. 21) expressed its condolences to the late veteran singer Dr. Nanda Malini, recalling her immense contribution to Sri Lankan music and society. Accordingly, a minute of silence was observed in the Chamber following a request by Hon. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.Speaking thereafter, the Prime Minister said she was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Nanda Malini, who was revered as the “golden voice” of Sri Lankan music and who, through her distinctive singing career spanning more than eight decades, enriched the country’s music and culture.The Prime Minister further stated that, as an admirer who had listened to Nanda Malini’s many songs and experienced different moments of life accompanied by those songs, her passing was not merely the loss of an unparalleled artistic personality in Sri Lankan music. It was also the departure of a familiar voice that had been closely connected to our lives and memories, and that had been with us through moments of both happiness and sorrow.She noted that Nanda Malini’s songs were deeply connected to the experiences of generations, and that the memories associated with her beautiful voice are felt even more strongly following her passing. The Prime Minister said that Nanda Malini’s singing career represented not only an era in Sri Lankan music, but also a living expression of the lives of the people, social movements and human emotions of the country.Going beyond singing about human emotions such as love and separation, Nanda Malini gave voice through her songs to the sorrow, fear, hopes and struggles of ordinary people, the Prime Minister recalled. That was why, when listening to her songs, people heard not merely the voice of a singer, but the voice of their own society.The Prime Minister said that, at this moment of mourning Nanda Malini’s passing, she was remembering not only an incomparable artist who had been lost to Sri Lankan music, but also a beloved voice that was connected to many memories in the lives of the people. She also noted that although the voice that had accompanied the people for decades has now fallen silent, the songs she sang would continue to live on in their memories and hearts. She expressed her deepest condolences to Nanda Malini’s two daughters and all members of her family, as well as to the people of Sri Lanka who loved her singing voice.Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that he personally knew Dr. Nanda Malini and described her as one of the greatest singers produced by Sri Lanka. He said she was an artist who never bowed to anyone and who always stood up for the people, possessing an exceptional sense of humanity, kindness and compassion.Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, who also spoke on the occasion, said that he joined the sentiments expressed in the Chamber in memory of the late Dr. Nanda Malini. On behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, he expressed the hope that she may attain Nibbana.
2026-08-20
The Committee on Parliamentary Business, which met today (Aug. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, decided to take up for debate tomorrow, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Supplementary Estimate seeking approval for the allocation of Rs. 7500 million (7.5 billion) required by the Government to purchase paddy during the 2026 Yala season.The Supplementary Estimate has been presented to provide Rs. 7.5 billion from the funds allocated in 2026 for projects and programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, which are expected to remain unutilized during the current year, for the purpose of making the required payments.Thereafter, the Adjournment Motion to be presented by the Government is scheduled to be debated from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2026-08-20
The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Aug. 20). The debate on the Second Reading of the Bill was held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thereafter, the Bill was passed without a vote.The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was introduced to increase the fines applicable to offences under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956, from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.
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