Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung announced the decision on May 21 following Sri Lanka’s completion of its military campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), commonly known as the Tamil Tigers.

Dung said that Vietnam congratulated the Sri Lankan Government and people on their victory, adding that it would enable Sri Lanka to concentrate on national construction and development, thus contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.

“Vietnam believes that friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka will continue to develop in the years ahead,” the diplomat said.