At the end of 2024, the year on which we have commemorated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, I would like to greet the people of Sri Lanka and to thank them for their friendship, sympathy towards my country, and the solidarity that they have always shown us. Relations that were established after the visit at that time to Ceylon by Commander Ernesto Che Guevara in 1959 and from that moment have been maintained and developed.
Today, January 1, 2025, Cuba celebrates the 66th anniversary of the triumph of the Revolution, which totally transformed Cuban society by eradicating the corruption and social inequality, racial and religious discrimination, among others. Cuba eradicated illiteracy and guaranteed for the first time, among other things, free access for all to quality health, education and sports.
During this year 2024 Cuba has faced great challenges: energy crisis, 2 high intensity hurricanes have hit the island causing human losses, damage to agriculture, construction and economic infrastructure, several seismic events that have affected the eastern part of the country, causing significant structural and economic losses.
Our goal is to work and promote the main political, economic and social tasks, the government projections, in the fulfillment of the technical-economic plans with greater efficiency. The times we are living are intense and difficult, but despite these adversities, Cuba is growing and continuing development the country.
Also despite the embargo imposed by the United States and the complex situation facing the country, Cuba has achieved goals of justice that continue to be an aspiration for millions of people in the world.
Cuba’s foreign policy continues to rest on positions of principle, on the anti-imperialist struggle, on the defense of peace, on the promotion of solidarity and internationalism, on the search for relations of friendship and cooperation with all countries.
We hope that the coming year will be better for the people of our countries and I take this opportunity to congratulate to H. E. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the people of Sri Lanka on the occasion of the new year 2025.
We will continue along the path of friendship and solidarity between Cuba and Sri Lanka.
Long live Sri Lanka and Cuba
Thank you very much.