At the event, organized by the Sri Lanka-Cuba Friendship Association, its president, Susil Premajayantha, stressed the historic relations that unite both nations.

Before Cuban Ambassador Andres Marcelo Gonzalez, Premajayantha, who is also a member of Parliament and Minister of Education, highlighted the sending by Havana of a medical brigade after the 2004 tsunami and the possibility for young people from Sri Lanka to study university careers in Cuba.

International advisor and analyst Mohan Samaranayake delved into Cuba’s history with emphasis on the achievements made for more than 60 years.

He also mentioned Ernesto Guevara and the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, for their role in the beginning and construction of a process that endures today in the face of challenges and threats of all kinds.

The Cuban ambassador, in turn, assured that the commitment to preserve the great objectives of the construction of socialism remains in force in Cuba, despite the difficult times due to an extremely risky global environment.

He emphasized the negative effect on all Cuban sectors of the intensification of the United States economic, commercial and financial blockade, the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the global economic and ecological crisis that is affecting the planet.

González noted that historic relations of friendship and cooperation have prevailed between Cuba and Sri Lanka, as well as an important political dialogue of consultation and communication.

The Cuban diplomat expressed gratitude for the countless expressions of support from all stakeholders of Sri Lankan society throughout these 65 years, and expressed his conviction in strengthening the ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation in the future with the consent of Havana and Colombo.

jg/abo/mem/lrd