PM recalls close Lanka-Cuba ties

A Cuban delegation led by Dr. Ismael Clark Arexer, President of the Academy of Sciences in Cuba called on Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka. The delegation which consists of four other members are in Sri Lanka to attend the 4th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba which will be held in Colombo on June 14.

The Prime Minister recalled the close relations between Sri Lanka and Cuba going back to 1959 when we recognised the new Government in Cuba after the Revolution led by Fidel Castro.

The Prime Minister made reference to assistance given to Sri Lanka by Cuba by way of scholarships and despatch of volunteer doctors under a UN programme.

The visiting scientist explained to Prime Minister Wickramanayaka the vast strides made by Cuba in bio-technology after the collapse of the Soviet Union when their country faced a crisis and they turned attention to developing bio-technology as a way of overcoming the crisis. Cuba is now a centre of excellence in bio-technology.

Cuba has developed an excellent medical system where new vaccines have been developed to prevent hepatitis, meningitis and influenza. Cuba has also almost completely controlled the mosquito menace. The visiting President of the Academy also explained the advances made by Cuba in disaster management.

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that this visit will lead to expansion of bilateral relations between our two countries into these new fields as Sri Lanka can benefit from the advances made by Cuba in bio technology and other areas such as disaster management.