Vietnam President Begins Official Visit to Sri Lanka Today

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee and President Tô Lâm is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka tonight (07) on an official state visit accompanied by a high-level delegation.

The visit comes at the invitation of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nearly 200 delegates are expected to be part of the visiting entourage.

During the visit, President Tô Lâm is also scheduled to address the Parliament of Sri Lanka tomorrow (08), marking a key moment in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Trinh Thi Tam, stated that the visit is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation and create new opportunities across several sectors including trade, investment, agriculture, aviation, and logistics through a series of agreements.

She further noted that both countries are also looking to expand collaboration in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, innovation, and energy transition, areas seen as vital to the future development goals of both nations.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Police has announced a special traffic arrangement in and around Colombo today and tomorrow due to the Vietnamese President’s official engagements.

Traffic restrictions will be enforced tonight during the presidential convoy’s movement from Bandaranaike International Airport to central Colombo. Additional limitations are expected tomorrow morning and evening during visits to the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo Public Library, Parliament of Sri Lanka and the President’s House.

Police stated that heavy vehicles will not be permitted on relevant roads two hours ahead of VIP movements, while temporary restrictions will apply to other vehicles during convoy transit periods.

Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes and cooperate with authorities to reduce traffic congestion and inconvenience.