Party General Secretary, President To Lam to pay State visit to Sri Lanka

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and President To Lam will pay a state visit to Sri Lanka from May 7 to 8, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 4.

The visit will be made at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The top leader’s visit is expected to mark a new milestone in bilateral relations, opening up opportunities for breakthroughs in economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and contributing to effectively responding to rapid changes in the global political and economic landscape.

This is the first State visit to Sri Lanka by Mr. To Lam in his capacity as the head of the Party and the State of Vietnam.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid a State visit to Vietnam in May last year and attended the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations held in Ho Chi Minh City.

During a  meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Hanoi at that time, Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed that, with its strengths, Vietnam wishes to accompany and cooperate with Sri Lanka in socio-economic development.

Vietnam and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations on July 21, 1970. The two countries share the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, according to the Government News.

Political parties in Sri Lanka hold goodwill toward and value relations with Vietnam, viewing Vietnam as a successful model of economic development to learn from. Sri Lanka has recognized Vietnam as a full market economy.

Last year, bilateral trade turnover reached approximately $260 million, up 20 percent compared to 2024. As of March 2026, bilateral trade turnover stood at about $50 million.

Sri Lanka has 34 valid projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of $43 million, ranking 64th out of 154 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Sri Lankan investors poured investment capital across 7 out of 21 economic sectors, mainly in processing and manufacturing industries.

In terms of finance, the two countries signed an Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation in October 2005 and an Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs in May 2025.

Sri Lanka is now home to around 200 Vietnamese people.