Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath on Saturday emphasised the need for Indonesia and Sri Lanka to further consolidate the strong bonds that the two nations have maintained over the years, particularly the economic and cultural ties and bilateral tourism.
Minister Herath was the Chief Guest at the annual Indonesian festival and Bazaar organised by Indonesian Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka-Indonesia Friendship Association, and the photographic exhibition titled ‘70 Years of the Asian-African Conference’ ‘Reviving the Bandung Spirit’ which was inaugurated by the Minister.
‘The historic Afro-Asian Conference in Bandung in 1955 gave birth to the Non-Aligned Movement of which Sri Lanka and Indonesia are founding members.” Herath said.
He noted that at the Colombo Powers Conference held in Kandy in 1954 Sri Lanka and Indonesia were among the countries that proposed a global conference of newly decolonised nations that led to the historic gathering in Bandung.
“Sri Lanka and Indonesia remained committed to a policy of non-alignment which has become relevant today amidst rivalries among major power blocks and this historic event reminds us all how closely our two countries have worked together since independence, in promoting global peace and solidarity.” Herath emphasised.
Whilst thanking the Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing for her initiative in organising the photographic exhibition which captures important milestones in our journey as two close friends working tirelessly, to uphold principles that promote mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference, peaceful coexistence and respect among nations, the Minister said that the relevance of these principles remain critically relevant in an increasingly challenging international environment.
Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing delved into history shedding light on the Colombo Powers Conference in Kandy, Sri Lanka and the Bogo Conference, said that the Colombo Powers Conference was initiated by the then Prime Minister of Ceylon Sir John Kotelawala and involved Prime Ministers of Indonesia, India and Pakistan who met in Kandy from April 28 to May 2 in 1954 for an informal discussion on matters of common interest.
She said the conference was also recognised as a precursor to the Asia-Africa Conference which was co-sponsored by governments of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Burma, India and Pakistan and attended by 24 nations, is considered historical because it was an important step towards forming a common global south position against the prevailing colonial order.
Ambassador Tobing said this conference also inspired and afterwards approximately 50 countries (especially in Africa) gained Independence and the conference was officially inaugurated by Indonesia’s first President Sukarno and the outcome of the conference was the ten spirits of Bandung or Dasasila Bandung.
The Ambassador thanked the Sri Lanka-Indonesia Friendship Association (SLIFA) for its untiring efforts and its invaluable assistance in organising the event and that the event brought together and strengthened the Sri Lanka-Indonesia ties.
Pic and text by Harischandra Gunaratna