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| Sunday, 3 July 2005 |
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Sri Lanka - Cuba ties further strengthened The unity of the people of Cuba, peace and harmony in the country has helped Cuban leader, President Fidel Castro Ruz to lead the country towards socialism and solve most problems of Cuba, observed Cuban Ambassadress Enna Vient speaking at a meeting, organised by Sri Lanka - Cuba Friendship League, Matale held at the Auditorium of Matale Secretariat to welcome her. Vipul Jayawardena, President of the League presided. Enna Vient, said that Cuba is the only country in the world which has completely eradicated Malaria, Dengue and Rabies. Cuba has one of the best education facilities in the third world countries. "In Cuba there are over 3,000 young university undergraduates from 3rd world countries, studying medicine and we in Cuba are proud to say that since the fall of the socialist Block in 1991, we in the Western Hemisphere withstood all the blockade which our enemies forced upon us to destroy Cuba". An 80 year old Cuban woman has said that she would only eat one potato for a day and still be with comrade Fidel to defend her country. She further said that Cuba has granted 60 scholarships every year to Sri Lanka, poor students to study medicine in Cuban universities and they have come back to Sri Lanka and are serving in rural hospitals. Governor of the Central Province, Monty Gopallawa said that it was Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1976, who as the Leader of the Non Aligned Nations invited Cuban Leader Fidel Castro to Sri Lanka and had built more closer relations with Cuban people. Sri Lanka supported the just-course of Cubans and stood against any foreign invasions and stood with Cubans. Deputy Minister of Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation, Rohana Dissanayake said that Cuba is a trustworthy friend of Sri Lanka and whenever Sri Lanka faced difficulties like tsunami, the Cuban doctors came to help our people who needed help. Chief Minister of the Central Province Sarath Ekanayake observed that since the Cuban Government has the best health facilities the Central Province should get advice and guidance from them to help and improve the health services. Central Province, Health Minister Champika Wijeratne speaking, thanked the Cuban Government for providing scholarships to poor students to be doctors and they are now serving in Matale, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya hospitals and elsewhere in Sri Lanka. He further said that as Cuba has eradicated malaria, dengue and rabies, suggested a programme of work to be carried out specially in rural areas in the Central Province to control these deadly menaces. Matale Deputy Mayor V. G. Jinadasa (UNP) thanked Cuban Ambassadress for visiting Matale and said that he was happy the friendship between two countries will help to solve some problems in the city specially the garbage disposal project which they need some expert advice. K. Udage, District Secretary and S. Ramanathan and Richard Basnayake, Secretary of the Friendship League also addressed the gathering. |
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