Sri Lankan President Dissanayake concludes state visit to Vietnam

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong on May 5 -- image via X

Various Sources

On May 6 Sri Lankan leftist President Anura Kumara Dissanayake concluded a state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that included a number of high level meetings and agreements as well his participation in the UN Day of Vesak 2025 Celebrations in the country.

On May 4 he met with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Tô Lâm, at the Party’s Central Committee Headquarters in Hanoi. The General Secretary later hosted a reception for the Sri Lankan President.

Dissanayake also met with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong (May 5) who presided over an official welcome ceremony, held talks, joined a press briefing, and hosted a banquet for the guest.

In addition he met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and congratulated the Vietnamese people on the historic victory of April 30, 1975 while voicing admiration for Vietnam’s unyielding spirit in its struggle for independence and in its current path of development.

During the visit the Sri Lankan President paid his respects at the War Heroes’ Monument in Hanoi by laying a floral wreath in honour of those who sacrificed their lives in the fight for Vietnam's reunification and independence.

Following this, the President visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum located at the Presidential Palace. There, he placed a floral tribute at the final resting place of the late President Ho Chi Minh.

He recalled that President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s beloved historic leader, had visited Sri Lanka three times - first in 1911 during his search for national salvation, and again in 1928 and 1946 - laying a vital foundation for the friendship between the two nations.

Dissanayake reaffirmed that Sri Lanka regards Vietnam as a source of inspiration and encouragement in its own quest for progress and recovery.