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| Delegates attending the celebration. |
The event was attended by Foreign Minister, Minister of Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herah as the main guest, representing the Government of Sri Lanka.
Also in attendance were Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih; Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake; Minister of Buddhist, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; Minister of Youth and Sports Sunil Gamage; General Secretary of the ruling NPP/JVP Party, General Secretary of the Communist Party; Governor of the Western Province; Mayor of Colombo; Former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena; Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya; Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabry; along with numerous leaders from various ministries, parliamentarians, diplomatic corps, international friends, and the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka.
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| Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam speaking at the celebration. |
In her speech, Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam highlighted Vietnam's significant achievements across various fields over the past 80 years of independence, emphasizing the substantial support and assistance from the international community, including friends from Sri Lanka, in Vietnam's nation-building and development efforts.
Expressing joy over the continuously strengthened and developed Vietnam-Sri Lanka relations over the past 55 years across many fields, from political-diplomatic, economic-trade, to cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges, the Ambassador recalled the successful outcomes of the state visit and participation in the United Nations Vesak Day by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake last May.
The Ambassador emphasized that the two countries have many untapped cooperation potentials to explore in the future for mutual benefits and sustainable development.
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| Minister Vijitha Herath extended warm congratulations to the Government and people of Vietnam on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka. |
On behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka, Minister Vijitha Herath extended warm congratulations to the Government and people of Vietnam on the occasion of the 80th National Day anniversary, praising Vietnam's robust and dynamic development, which serves as an example for Sri Lanka.
Minister Vijitha Herath expressed satisfaction with the positive development of the comprehensive friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka after 55 years of diplomatic relations; affirming that Sri Lanka always values and wishes to further enhance cooperation with Vietnam not only in traditional fields such as trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchange but also in other potential areas like energy, technology, healthcare, construction..., while continuing active cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums.
The highlight of the event was a special art performance by Vietnamese artists from the Thang Long Song and Dance Theater, featuring interesting collaborations with Sri Lankan artists in performing the Vietnamese song "Trong com" (Drum) and the Sri Lankan folk song "Ran BinduBindi" about bountiful harvests, creating an impressive cultural exchange space. Minister Vijitha Herath was delighted to try playing the Dan bau (Mono-cord musical instrument) with guidance from Vietnamese artists.
After the performance, guests enjoyed traditional Vietnamese dishes prepared and introduced by two chefs from the Hilton Da Nang Hotel.
The event left a positive impression on international friends, contributing to strengthening friendship, consolidating trust, and opening new cooperation prospects between Vietnam and Sri Lanka in the coming time.
Also, as part of the activities celebrating the 80th National Day and the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, the Embassy of Vietnam in Sri Lanka will organize a Cultural Day in Abakote, the capital of the Central Province of Sri Lanka, and a "Taste of Vietnam" Culinary Week in Colombo, featuring Vietnamese dishes from various regions and famous Vietnamese coffee flavours.
Some images from the event
