Colombo, March 3, 2025. The Daily News and The Island newspapers in their print and digital editions highlighted the recent reconstitution of the Sri Lanka-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association.
These media highlighted the election of the Minister of Sports and Youth Sunil Kumara Gamage as President of the Sri Lanka-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association for the 10th Legislature.
Newspapers also noted that the revival meeting of the Friendship Association was held in Parliament on February 28, chaired by its President Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, in which the Cuban Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Andrés Marcelo González Garrido, was the guest of honour.
The newspapers add that during the meeting, Member of Parliament U.P. Abeywickrama was elected Secretary of the Sri Lanka-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association and while addressing the attendees, the President highlighted the long-standing bilateral relations between Cuba and Sri Lanka, established in 1959. He further emphasized that the Friendship Association provides an excellent platform to enhance these relations. The President underlined the importance of working closely together to further strengthen bilateral ties in sectors such as health, education, science and technology in order to maximize the benefits for both countries.
The Daily News report notes that, in his speech at the event, Ambassador Garrido highlighted the importance of strengthening ties in areas of mutual interest between the two countries through the Friendship Association. He also expressed his gratitude to Sri Lanka for the friendship and support provided to Cuba over the past decades.
The Daily News article said that, expressing his gratitude for being chosen to lead the association, the newly elected President, Minister Gamage, acknowledged Cuba's progress, particularly in health and technology research. While expressing his desire to share knowledge and experience, especially in the fields of education and health, he invited all members to work together to strengthen relations between Sri Lanka and Cuba.
Also, the Secretary of the Association, MP U.P. Abeywickrama, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed his confidence that this partnership will further strengthen the long-standing relationship between Cuba and Sri Lanka.
The reports also noted the presence at the meeting of ministers, deputy ministers, members of Parliament and the Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera.