Today (15 September), in a bilateral meeting in Havana, President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez strengthened the ties of friendship and communication between their two countries.
The Sri Lankan President was given a guard of honour at the Palace of Revolution to greet him upon his arrival in Cuba. Cuba’s gratitude for the visit was conveyed by President Dáz-Canel Bermudez, who emphasised its importance in light of the present-day global challenges.
He complimented China’s and the G77’s crucial roles in representing the global South, as well as Sri Lanka’s dedication to friendship with Cuba.
President Wickremesinghe brought up the history of bilateral collaboration between Sri Lanka and Cuba during their conversations, notably in global settings. Both countries have backed one another in relation to issues like the easing of Cuban sanctions and concerns about human rights. They identified prospective collaborations in the fields of sports, agriculture, and public health.
By accepting President Wickremesinghe’s offer to visit Sri Lanka in 2024, President Dáz-Canel demonstrated Cuba’s ongoing support for Sri Lanka. He also emphasised Cuba’s contribution to closing science, technology, and innovation gaps between the North and South and expressed a willingness to share knowledge, notably in the creation of vaccines.
