Vietnam Hails Sri Lanka’s Economic Progress,Calls for Stronger Strategic Cooperation

by Zulfick Farzan 08-05-2026 | 11:41 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); President of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, has congratulated the Government of Sri Lanka on its recent achievements, with special emphasis on its economic progress, noting that these accomplishments have contributed to improving the living standards of the Sri Lankan people.

President Tô Lâm said Vietnam has placed strong focus on elevating bilateral cooperation to a higher level. He stressed the importance of further strengthening economic, security, and political cooperation between the two countries.

He also underlined the need to expand high-level exchanges, including interactions between government representatives as well as people-to-people exchanges, to deepen bilateral cooperation.

President Tô Lâm said greater collaboration is also required in key areas such as the economy, trade, investment, agriculture, and technology to ensure mutual benefits.

Vietnam, he said, has already begun taking steps in this direction by setting targets aimed at increasing bilateral trade. He identified education, tourism, and people-to-people relations as the key foundations of the partnership, adding that Vietnam looks forward to stronger engagement with Sri Lanka.

President Tô Lâm expressed appreciation for the respect Sri Lanka has shown towards Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. He also noted that discussions were held on establishing new areas of cooperation in air connectivity between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Through such initiatives, he said, both countries would be able to enhance multilateral coordination and cooperation. Emphasising the importance of regional peace and stability, President Tô Lâm highlighted the need to ensure freedom and security of navigation, including maritime navigation.

In this regard, he reaffirmed the importance of acting in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

President Tô Lâm said relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka have the potential to be elevated to a much higher level, adding that strengthened ties would help bring peace, prosperity, and development to the people of both countries.