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Sri Lanka, July 6 — The commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Colombo Plan took place in Colombo, with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attending on Friday (3).

Delivering the main speech, the Prime Minister mentioned that the Colombo Plan was created 75 years ago during a period when numerous Asian countries were beginning their journey toward independence and dealing with the issues of post-war rebuilding and economic growth.

She mentioned that it is a source of significant pride for Sri Lanka that the organization is named “Colombo” and that the nation remains its host.

The Prime Minister highlighted that, as Sri Lanka advances its digital transformation, develops sustainable transportation networks, and strengthens resilient supply chains, the Colombo Plan’s initial investments in the nation’s energy, agricultural, irrigation, and transport sectors remain a crucial element of the country’s developmental base.

The Prime Minister also pointed out the important role played by the Colombo Plan’s Drug Advisory Programme in tackling the worldwide drug issue, which greatly affects young people, public health, and societal stability. The Prime Minister stressed that, with the President’s guidance, the Sri Lankan Government has placed great importance on fighting the drug problem and thanked the Colombo Plan for its ongoing assistance in these initiatives.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the current global landscape is significantly more intricate compared to 1951, marked by swift technological advancements, climate-related issues, and shifting international relations. Within this framework, the Prime Minister emphasized that regional bodies like the Colombo Plan need to keep changing, becoming more flexible and capable of addressing modern challenges. The Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of enhancing collaboration in education and the development of human resources, while promoting a deeper understanding among younger people regarding the importance of global cooperation.

At the ceremony, a special acknowledgment was given to Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes for his contributions as Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan during the last four years. The newly appointed Secretary-General, Chulamee Chartsuwan, was also introduced.

To mark the 75th anniversary, a unique commemorative postage stamp and a book titled ‘Colombo Plan 75 Years – 75 Stories’ were introduced.

The event was attended by Arun Hemachandra, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Trinh Thi Tam, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Chairperson of the Colombo Plan Council, as well as other guests.