After 65 years of relations, Sri Lanka and Cuba further strengthen ties
Colombo, July 31 (RHC) Sri Lanka and Cuba are celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties in various fields across the distance that separates the two nations.
These relations were strengthened during a visit by guerrilla commander Ernesto Che Guevara to the former Ceylon in July 1959, a few months after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, as part of a tour initiated by Fidel Castro in 1955 to the signatory countries of the Bandung Pact, Indonesia, resulting from a meeting of progressive states from Asia and Africa with guests from Latin American nations.
On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry and local media reproduced in full the note from the recent meeting on the occasion of the anniversary between Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Ambassador to Havana Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.
During the meeting, the Cuban President expressed his willingness to expand and strengthen relations with Sri Lanka, Colombo sources said.
Diaz-Canel appreciated Sri Lanka's donation of 150 seeds of coconut varieties to Cuba and requested the assistance of experts to develop the coconut industry in the Caribbean nation.
It is worth noting that the world coconut market is estimated to reach eight billion dollars by 2030 and is expected to grow at a rate of 8.4 percent from 2023 to 2030, according to experts.
In addition, the versatility of this fruit is surprising, since in addition to its use as a food, its uses in medicine, animal husbandry, agriculture and handicrafts, among others, are well known.
On the other hand, Diaz Canel recalled the visit of his counterpart, Ranil Wickremesinghe, to Cuba to attend the Group of 77+China Summit and praised "the flourishing friendly relations between the two countries".
Meanwhile, Ambassador Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne conveyed warm greetings from the Sri Lankan leader and government and expressed his country's gratitude for the timely medical assistance provided by Cuba during the tsunami and COVID-19 pandemic.
The diplomat also appreciated the fully funded scholarships for medical students provided by the Cuban government to Sri Lankan students every year.
He further stated that although Sri Lanka and Cuba are geographically distant, the strong ties that exist between the two countries bring the two governments and peoples together.
Ulugetenne reiterated Sri Lanka's interest in developing trade with Cuba and steps in that direction in the tourism sector.
He also spoke about a meeting he had with CubaPharma, a governmental pharmaceutical research institution, and assured him that he would do everything possible to further strengthen trade and bilateral relations.
According to Sri Lanka, the meeting was very cordial and productive. (Source: Prensa Latina)
