The Vietnam–Sri Lanka Friendship Association was set up in Hanoi onSeptember 26 the aim of boosting the multi-faced cooperation between thetwo countries for mutual benefit, as well as for peace and developmentin the region and beyond.

During its firstcongress, Pham Van Linh, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’sCommission for Popularisation and Education, was elected as Chairman ofthe association for the 2014-2019 tenure.

Addressingthe event, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union of FriendshipOrganisations (VUFO) Nguyen Thi Hoang Van said the association’sestablishment is a new development in the bilateral friendship,cooperation and people-to-people exchange, bridging their links in thefields of politics, economics and culture.

Sheaffirmed that the association’s responsibilities and visions are in linewith the country’s foreign policy, expressing her hope that theassociation will carry out a plenty of activities in a proactive andeffective manner in a bid to boost bilateral multi-dimensional ties.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vietnam K.G Ivan Amarasinghe promised thathis embassy will closely coordinate with the association in implementingits agenda.

On the occasion, Chairman Pham Van Linhawarded the Friendship Medal to S.Sudasinghe, Deputy General Secretaryof the Sri Lanka Communist Party and Secretary General of the SriLanka–Vietnam Solidarity Association, in recognition of his substantialcontributions to promoting the friendship and cooperation between thetwo nations.-VNA