Cuba–Sri Lanka relations

Cuba–Sri Lanka relations

Map indicating locations of Cuba and Sri Lanka
Cuba	Sri Lanka

Cuba and Sri Lanka have had official diplomatic relations since 1959.^[1]

History

The current government of Cuba and the government of Sri Lanka established ties shortly after Fidel Castro's ascent to power in 1959. Ties were officially made on July 29, 1959, and Cuba and Sri Lanka recently celebrated the golden jubilee of this occasion after fifty years of bilateral ties.^[2] Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to recognize Cuba, when Che Guevara (then Industry Minister) visited Sri Lanka on a delegation^[3] to promote the sugar trade.^[2]

Non-Alignment

Both Sri Lanka and Cuba were members of the Non-aligned movement, which rejected a bipolar domination of world affairs.^[4] Though many members of the Non-Alignment Movement were embroiled in intra-member conflicts,^[5] Cuban-Sri Lankan relations were quite cordial. Prime Minister Junius Richard Jayawardene visited Cuba in 1979 to promote the aims of the movement, while the respective governments signed a number of agreements in the 1970s to further cement ideological ties. These included a cultural agreement, signed in 1976 and amended many times later, and a Scientific and Technical agreement which was signed in 1978 and later buttressed by later added protocols.^[2]

Economic ties

Cuba and Sri Lanka have cooperated in a number of sectors with the goal of mutual development and economic progress. This cooperation has been especially noted in the sectors of risk management and biotechnology.^[6] Ties in the agriculture sector have been developed, and the similar climates of both countries^[7] have enabled the countries to work on developing crops such as papaya and coconut.^[8]

See also

• Foreign relations of Cuba
• Foreign relations of Sri Lanka

References

1. ^ Cuba celebrates 50 years of DPL relations with Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Daily News - August 5, 2009
2. ^ ^{a b c} Golden Jubilee of Cuba-Sri Lanka relations Sri Lanka Daily News - July 29, 2009
3. ^ 'Lanka-Cuba relations should be strengthened' Sri Lanka Daily News - January 14, 2004
4. ^ The Non-Aligned Movement: Member States - Non Aligned Movement
5. ^ Non-alignment, anyone? Indian Express - July 5, 2007
6. ^ Cuba and Sri Lanka Strengthen Cooperation Mathaba News Network - December 16, 2008
7. ^ Sri Lanka - Cuba, Antipodal and photographic reflections Sri Lanka Daily News - January 7, 2004
8. ^ Inaugural Session of Sri Lanka-Cuba Joint Commission in Havana Sri Lanka Daily Mirror - January 1, 2009