PARLIAMENT

The attention was paid to the opportunities in order to further strengthen the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Cuba, during the meeting of the Sri Lanka-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association held recently (Aug. 09) in Parliament.

This was discussed at the meeting of the executive committee of the association chaired by Hon. Prof. Tissa Vitharana. Cuban Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr. Andres Marcelo Garrido was also present on this occasion.

Hon. (Prof.) Tissa Vitharana stated on the occasion that Sri Lanka and Cuba have been internationally friendly countries for a long time and this trend should be further increased. He also said that it will be an opportunity for Sri Lankans to know about Cuba by starting Sri Lanka-Cuba friendship organizations in different provinces of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, he invited the executive committee members of the Parliamentary Friendship Association to take action to start Sri Lanka Cuba Friendship Organizations in their areas.

Addressing the meeting Cuban Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mr. Andres Marcelo Garrido stated that the Cuban-Sri Lankan Parliamentary Friendship Association was established in the Cuban Parliament recently and its members are interested in strengthening the relations between the two countries. He also expressed his gratitude for the solidarity extended by Sri Lanka in various challenges faced by Cuba. Also, the Cuban ambassador said that there are opportunities to improve bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of sports, and trade, and invited Sri Lankan businessmen to participate in the Havana International Fair to be held in early November.

The state minister Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan, who spoke on the occasion, said that there is a possibility of starting a Medical College in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Cuban government and a concept paper for this has already been prepared and it is expected to be submitted to the Friendship Association.

The meeting was attended by the Vice President of the Parliamentary Friendship Association, Member of Parliament Hon. Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Executive Committee Members Hon. Jayantha Weerasinghe and Hon. Isuru Dodangoda.