China pledges help for Sri Lanka’s former war zone

PTI: After investing heavily in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure sector, China today pledged to take forward bilateral ties by assisting in the development of former war zone in the Tamil-dominated north.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang visited Jaffna and met with the northern governor Reginald Cooray. 

Yi Xianliang said that China stands ready to offer assistance to Sri Lanka and the Northern province within Chinas assistance program in the island. 

He told the Governor that China and Sri Lanka enjoy strong historical ties and that the relationship must be taken forward. 

The Ambassador expressed Chinese interest to offer assistance to boost the education of children in the north and said China will consider offering scholarships to the northern children. 

During the former regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa, China extended millions of dollars in assistance to Sri Lanka by developing its infrastructure and built an airport and a sea port in the south. 

The current government under Maithripala Sirisena has also vowed to take forward the Chinese port city project in the Colombo port area.