Joining the meeting included Vice Chairman of the GCRA Bùi Thanh Hà, Minister of Buddha Sasana Ministry Gamini Jayawickrema Perena, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Saranya Hasathi Urgodawatt Dissanayke.

During the meeting, officials of the two countries spoke highly of the relationship between the two State management agencies on religion, and the positive outcomes of collaboration between the two countries’ Buddhism.

Cooperation in religion between Vietnam and Sri Lanka has contributed to the religious work in each country as well as stepping up people-to-people diplomacy and tightening the bilateral traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation.

The Vietnamese Government Committee on Religious Affairs and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Buddha Sasana agreed to continue exchanging information in religion and religion-related policies as well as issues of mutual concern in order to boost the two countries’ ties. The two sides shall also create favorable conditions for strengthening cooperation in Buddhist training amongst Buddhist universities and institutions in the two countries.

During the meeting, Vice Chairman Bùi Thanh Hà also shared with the guests the religious demography in Vietnam in general, and Buddhism in Vietnam in particular, as well as state policies and laws in the country, including the Law on Belief and Religion 2016. Vietnam is a multi-religious country with over 25 million of followers of 14 religions, accounting for over 27% of the country population, and Buddhism being the largest religious group with over 14 million followers, he said.

Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perena speaks at the working meeting

Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perena took the chance to express his condolences at the passing away of State President Trần Đại Quang.

During their stay in Vietnam from September 23-27, delegates from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Buddha Sasana are scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to the minister of home affairs, the People’s Committee of northern Ninh Binh province and visit several religious establishments in Hanoi and Ninh Binh.

PTT