Vietnam thanked

For support to fight terrorism:

President Mahinda Rajapaksa telephoned the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Nguyen Tang Dung to convey his personal thanks and the appreciation of the Government for Vietnam's assistance and cooperation extended to Sri Lanka over the years, particularly at international fora, in combating terrorism, states a Foreign Ministry Media release.

The President also briefed the Vietnamese Prime Minister on the Government's success in defeating LTTE terrorism in the country. He explained the Government plans for reconstruction of the liberated areas enabling displaced persons to return to their original places of habitation.

Prime Minister Dung congratulated President Rajapaksa for his outstanding leadership in eliminating terrorism and assured him that Viethnam would continue its support for Sri Lanka in the fight against terrorism at international fora. Referring to the long standing friendship between the two countries, the Vietnamese Prime Minister expressed the hope that this friendship would be strengthened in the years ahead. He also suggested that the Sri Lanka - Vietnam Joint Commission be convened early, which proposal was accepted by President Rajapaksa.

While extending an invitation to the Vietnamese Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually agreed time, President Rajapaksa informed him that he would visit Vietnam in due course.

The President said that he would advise Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama to continue this dialogue with his Vietnamese counterpart.