Ambassador calls on Prime Minister:

Vietnam assures support for Lanka always

Vietnam is always ready to work in close cooperation with Sri Lanka at any moment regarding international issues, assured new Vietnamese ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh when he called on Prime Minister D M Jayaratne at the Prime Minister's office yesterday.

The ambassador said Vietnam has clearly understood the true nature of problems regarding human rights in Sri Lanka.

He said Vietnam too had faced identical pressure from the Vietnamese community living abroad, but Vietnam was facing such situations in a strong and brave manner.

The Vietnamese ambassador said like Sri Lanka, Vietnam too is getting stronger economically after the war and Vietnamese investors now have the opportunity to invest in foreign countries.

He said it would be proper if they gain opportunities to invest in Sri Lanka too.

The ambassador said Vietnam has decided to assist Sri Lanka's development activities and was keen in assisting in prospecting for oil deposits in particular.

He also said that Vietnam could assist in the development of the tourist sector and emphasised the need to start direct air flights between the two countries.

Prime Minister Jayaratne said Sri Lanka would never forget the vital assistance given by Vietnam to safeguard Sri Lanka's sovereignty.

The economic progress achieved by Vietnam consequent to the war, was an example to other countries. He said Sri Lanka was ready to provide infrastructure facilities to Vietnamese entrepreneurs investing in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister's Secretary S Amarasekera was also present on the occasion.