Solidarity with Cuba continuously increasing in Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA, September 3, 2011. One more branch of friendship with Cuba was added to the existing ones in this country with the creation of Ratnapura branch of Sri Lanka - Cuba Friendship Society today in the southwestern province of Sabaragamuwa. Caribbean island’s supporters gathered at the Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hall for the creation of the organization that will enable them to strengthen the links with the people and government of Cuba, to deepen the knowledge on Cuban reality, its socio economic model, culture and history.
Mr. G. M. Karunapala, Minister of Social Welfare, Child Protection and Probationary, Rural Development and Rural Industries of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council who is also the leader of Sri Lanka Mahajana (People’s) Party (SLMP) with Mrs. Dulcy de Silva, vice president of SLMP and of the World Federation of Trade Unions; S. Nagendra, General Secretary of the Friendship Society, members of  Provincial Council, Parliamentarians and the H. E Nirsia Castro Guevara, Cuban Ambassador graced the occasion of forming the Friendship Branch.
Addressing the gathering , Minister Karunapala emphasized how Cuban people faced the challenges of confronting for more than 50 years the threats of all kind, aggressions and attempts to destroy the Revolution by overthrowing the regime chosen by the people. But resisting all these threats Cuba has been able to build a society with social justice and welfare for all its people. This could be an inspiration for Sri Lanka today.
During the meeting Dulcy de Silva spoke about the Cuban example for other small countries because it has resisted the longest economic sanctions ever know by world imposed by US as well as other injustice like the imprisonment of the 5 antiterrorist fighters to whom a fair trial have been denied for more than 13 years now.
Sabaragamuwa province consist of two districts: Ratnapura and Kegalle. It has a population of about 4 millions. Ratnapura Sri Lanka - Cuba Friendship Society headed by Minister Karunapala himself is added to the already existing branches in the country in Colombo, Kandy, Malate, Kalutara, Matara, Dankotuwa and Vavuniya. (Cubaminrex- Embacuba Sri Lanka) |