The 3 member  Cuban delegation for the World Conference on Youth 2014 ( WCY 2014 ) met with the Sri Lankan Ambassador, Sarath Dissanayake at a luncheon meeting hosted at the official residence in Havana on 29th April 2014.

The Cuban delegation representing the Young Communist League of Cuba (equivalent of the Ministry of Youth Affairs) is led by Madame Susely Morfa Gonzalez who holds the rank of Deputy Minister.

After welcoming the Cuban delegates, Ambassador Dissanayake briefed them on the significance of the upcoming youth conference in Colombo from 6th – 10th May 2014, that  will bring together over 1500 youth leaders, senior officials, ministers in charge of youth affairs to deliberate on youth concerns, needs and priorities under the theme “ Mainstreaming Youth in the Post 2015 Development Agenda “. Elaborating on the theme, the Ambassador said the conference will strive to engage participants in an inclusive dialogue aimed at strengthening the role of youth in developing, implementing and evolving a youth oriented development agenda, thus benefitting the youth and future generations.

The Cuban delegates conveyed their appreciation to the Sri Lankan Government and to the Minister of Youth Affairs & Skills Development in particular, for the initiative taken to host the WCY 2014 which they said would contribute towards a significant successful outcome. They also expressed their keen interest to meet with Sri Lankan youth delegates and leaders in Colombo to further strengthen Sri Lanka – Cuba long standing friendly relations through people to people contacts.

Ambassador Dissanayake thanked the Cuban delegates for their support and solidarity with the Sri Lankan people and assured them of Sri Lanka’s continued goodwill and friendship to promote closer ties and cooperation between the two countries at all levels.