The President has said that Sri Lanka is a country which highly acclaims freedom and independence and the people of the island are not prepared to be subject to incursions. The President made these observations unveiling a statue of the Vietnamese national leader.
The unveiling of the statue of Ho Chi Ming put up within the Public Library Complex in Colombo, further consolidating state ties between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, took place this morning under the auspices of President Rajapaksa. The President said that this occasion reminisces the past bonds between the two countries. The President recalled the similar attitudes that prevailed from the past between the Sri Lankans and the Vietnamese due to Buddhism.
The President said that the building of a statue of Ho Chi Minh in Sri Lanka is very meaningful. Both Sri Lanka and Vietnam wish to live peacefully and independently. Both countries always opposed invaders. The President mentioned that in the 1970 election manifesto of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike and when he first contested the Parliamentary elections, they always spoke in favour of the freedom struggle of Vietnam. Also when he made his first speech in Parliament, the President said that he extended his greetings for the Vietnam’s freedom struggle. He recalled that in every international forum Sri Lanka supported Vietnam, endorsing the freedom battle of Ho Chi Minh. He appreciated to be involved in the unveiling of the statue. The President extended the greetings of the people of Sri Lanka to the Vietnamese colleagues.
Addressing the function, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Bing pointed out that the people of Vietnam always recall with gratitude the support given by Sri Lanka for their freedom struggle. The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister noted that Sri Lanka had a very clear future and it would not take much long for the island nation to achieve development. Among those present on the occasion were many Parliamentarians and local as well as foreign distinguished guests.
The President also joined in viewing an exhibition depicting special photographs of the Vietnamese national leader.
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