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(KPL) Vice President Bounthong Chitmany received in Vientiane on July 4 a courtesy visit from outgoing Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, Ms C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne.
Vice President Bounthong Chitmany (R) receives Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand,Ms C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne in Vientiane on July 4, 2024.
(KPL) Vice President Bounthong Chitmany received in Vientiane on July 4 a courtesy visit from outgoing Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, Ms C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne.
At amicable talks, Vice President Bounthong Chitmany highly valued Ambassador C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne's contribution to strengthening the relationship and cooperation between Laos and Sri Lanka.
In reply, Ambassador C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne also expressed her gratitude to the Vice President of the Lao PDR for his warm welcome and expressed her gratitude to all levels of the organizations in the Lao PDR for their cooperation and facilitation during her time.
The Lao PDR and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations on 20th July 1965. Then the next significant milestone was the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka to the Lao PDR in 2018 as per the proposal from Dr. (HC) Damith ALUGE which is the only physical representation for Sri Lanka in the Lao PDR which is working with the Sri Lankan mission in Bangkok and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka.
Later, the established Honorary Consulate for Sri Lanka in the Lao PDR was able to arrange a top-level meeting between the two Speakers of the Parliament/National Assembly of Sri Lanka and the Lao PDR in Vientiane and it led the Lao PDR to announce the cancellation of the ban on obtaining visas at the border of Sri Lankan citizens which was effective since 1st August 2018. It was an important contribution to the promotion and facilitation of travel.
At the same time, the two sides jointly signed several Memoranda of Understanding such as one in May 1999 on cooperation in education, sports, trade, and culture in the Lao PDR, and the other one is on September 2018 on political dialogue between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and Sri Lanka.
Two sides are working on a draft agreement on visa exemption for individuals holding diplomatic and official passports.
Sri Lanka proposed to improve the content of the draft, which currently the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Lao PDR is considering.
KPL
