The Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, Chamal Rajapaksa paid his first official visit to Cuba from 26th to 30th March 2013 accompanied by Member of Parliament, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Secretary General of Parliament, Dhammika Dasanayake. The delegation was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Cuba, Sarath Dissanayake.
On 27th morning Speaker Rajapaksa paid floral tributes to the Monument of the Cuban National Hero, Jose Marti at the Revolution Square and proceeded with a guided tour of the Museum dedicated to Cuba’s revolutionary heroes. The bilateral meeting between President of the Cuban National Assembly of the People’s Power, Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere reflecting the long standing goodwill and solidarity between Cuba and Sri Lanka. The discussions encompassed a gamut of interests ranging from further consolidation of political and economic relations to promotion of cooperation in the education, technology, agriculture sectors among others. The two speakers emphasized their commitment to work together and support each other in a spirit of unity and brotherhood. They were also of the view that the two island nations, Cuba and Sri Lanka, being strong allies, have so much in common, although they are far apart from each other geographically. Speaker Rajapaksa recalled his childhood memories of the 1959 Cuban Revolution as a great admirer of Cuba’s independence struggle and reiterated Sri Lanka’s consistent support for the Cuban cause and for the removal of embargo imposed on the Cuban people. While appreciating Sri Lanka’s support and solidarity with Cuba, Speaker Hernandez remarked “this visit is a milestone in Cuba – Sri Lanka relations not just from a political stand point but also in respect of our common struggle in the international arena”. He also expressed his gratitude to Sri Lanka for having hosted the “Asia Pacific Solidarity Meeting with Cuba” in Colombo in 2012 which he said was an expression of Sri Lanka’s continued commitment towards Cuba. Furthermore, the two sides acknowledged that the official visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Cuba in June 2012 paved the way for new vistas of opportunities and furtherance of goodwill between the two countries. They agreed to expedite the implementation of decisions taken during the visit, notably the “MOU on Coconut Industry” for the betterment of the two countries and peoples. Both Speakers also affirmed their resolve to work together to further their mutual and shared interests through regular consultations and exchanges between the two legislatures and that of two governments. An invitation extended to the Cuban Speaker to visit Sri Lanka was also accepted.
The Cuban Speaker hosted a banquet in honour of his Sri Lankan counterpart on 27th which was reciprocated by the latter with a return banquet the day after at which a host of Cuban dignitaries were present.
In the afternoon, the Speaker Rajapaksa had an exchange of views with the member of the International Relations Division of the Communist Party of Cuba, Jose Balaguer on the status of political structures and their impact on the governance and polity in the respective countries. Both sides briefed each other as to how grass root level participation of civil society is ensured in national policy making and implementation through a people driven, open and transparent process involving the party rank and file.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa also met Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marsilano Medina Gonzalez and had a frank appraisal on a range of matters from a bilateral, regional and multilateral perspective.
The Speaker also met with the First Deputy President, Migul Mario Diaz Canal Bermudez at the Palace of Revolution and exchanged greetings and best wishes for the continued well being and success of their respective leaders. While welcoming the Sri Lanka Speaker to Cuba, the First Deputy President stated that the visit which is taking place is a sequel to President Rajapaksa’s land mark visit in June 2012, and is a manifestation of Sri Lanka’s solidarity and friendship with the Cuban people. Speaking further, he said Cuba and Sri Lanka are best of friends and that Cuba stands ready to help Sri Lanka also in the future. Recalling Cuba’s consistent support to Sri Lanka at the international fora, the Speaker said that such gestures will no doubt go a long way in nurturing our special relationship for mutual benefit.
The Speaker also took time off his busy schedule to visit the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples of Foreign Countries (ICAP) and the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) where over 23 Sri Lankan students are pursuing medical degree courses at present. The Sri Lankan delegation also visited the Old Havana city and got firsthand knowledge and experience of Cuba’s historical and cultural landscapes. They also toured community driven agricultural farms in Havana suburbs and appreciated the government’ efforts to create awareness and interest among the rural farming communities to develop self help projects for the benefit of the people.
The Speaker and the delegation also met a cross section of Sri Lankan students and community members at a luncheon hosted by Ambassador Sarath Dissanayake at his residence.
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa’s visit to Cuba concluded on 30th March on a very positive note marking yet another milestone in Sri Lanka – Cuba relations.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Havana, Cuba
31st March 2013
