During President Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to Cuba, both leaders emphasized the significance of enhancing collaboration in the fields of medicine, healthcare, sports training, and coconut cultivation.
President Wickremesinghe's official visit to Cuba preceded his participation in the G77 plus China Summit in Havana, hosted by Cuba as the current Chair of the G77 plus China.
President Wickremesinghe pledged Sri Lanka's support for Cuba in international forums, while President Díaz-Canel assured support for Sri Lanka on human rights resolutions.
In their discussions, President Wickremesinghe recalled the history of bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Cuba, particularly in multilateral forums. Both nations have supported each other on issues like lifting sanctions against Cuba and human rights matters.
President Díaz-Canel accepted President Wickremesinghe's invitation to visit Sri Lanka in 2024, underscoring Cuba's continued support for Sri Lanka. He also highlighted Cuba's role in addressing North-South gaps in Science, Technology and Innovation, expressing willingness to share expertise, particularly in vaccine development.
This meeting represents a significant step forward in strengthening diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Cuba, with far-reaching implications for both nations and the broader global community.
President Wickremesinghe was accompanied by key officials, including Secretary Foreign Affairs Ms. Aruni Wijewardane, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Cuba Mr. Lakshitha Ratnayake, the Director General of the United Nations and Multilateral Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Rekha Gunasekera and Private Secretary to the President Ms. Sandra Perera.
