The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) in cooperation with the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP) organized an official ceremony to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Sri Lanka on July 29.

The event took place at the ICAP Friendship House at which Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Marcos Rodriguez Costa, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications Alberto Rodriguez Arufe and Vice Minister of Science and Technology America Santos Riveras participated.  

Omar Fernandez Carizares and Jose Mendoza Argudin, the two surviving members of the delegation led by Ernesto Che Guevara to Sri Lanka in August 1959, were invited by this Mission as special guests.  

In addition, some 150 personalities representing Government institutions, the Communist Party of Cuba, the National Assembly, and various social and cultural organizations, attended.  

The ceremony opened with the national anthem of both countries and the cancellation of the 50th Anniversary commemorative postal stamp issued by the Government of Cuba.  

The first day cover was cancelled by Sri Lanka Ambassador to Cuba Tamara Kunanayakam, followed by Vice Minister Costa, ICAP Vice-President Alicia Corredera, and, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications Alberto Rodriguez Arufe.  

The commemorative stamp depicts the image of the Sigiriya Damsel offering the national flower, the lotus.  

The ceremony concluded with a guitar recital by Dr. Lakmal Peiris, former Sri Lankan medical student in Cuba, today practising surgeon in Spain, and internationally reputed virtuoso in classical guitar, which he learnt while studying in Cuba, and a Cuban folk group.  

Participation at the event was exceptional in terms of number and quality. Many government dignitaries including three Vice-Ministers participating actively. The event was given wide coverage on TV, radio and press.  

The 50th Anniversary Logo was designed by the internationally renowned Cuban artist, Ares (Aristides Hernandez), who has received more than 100 international awards.  

He is also Vice President of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC).  

“The significant contribution of Cuba to our victory at the Special Session of the Human Rights Council, the cordial meeting between the President and President Raul Castro Ruz at Sharm El-Sheikh, and the success of the present initiative, all contribute toward creating a favourable climate for further enhancement of relations between Sri Lanka and Cuba,” said a press release issued by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Havana, Cuba.

Courtesy: dailynews.lk