‘China-Sri Lanka 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations’ concert renews and energises ties

On 6 February, a concert on ‘China-Sri Lanka 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations’ was successfully held at the symbolical venue of China-Sri Lanka friendship, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. 

President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang as well as Government ministers, commanders of the three armed forces of Sri Lanka, and more than 1,000 people from various circles enjoyed the concert.

The concert was conducted by famous conductor Prof. Li Xincao and Sri Lankan conductor Dushyanthi Perera. Symphonic music with traditional cultural characteristics of China and Sri Lanka were performed by 30 Sri Lankan artists and 70 Chinese artists jointly. 

‘Kuveni Asne’ composed by Sri Lankan composer Ravibandhu Vidyapathy integrated the traditional Kandy drum music into the symphony. ‘Farewell My Concubine’ by Chinese composer Guan Xia combined Chinese traditional folk music and Peking opera with symphonic music. 

The artists also played the world famous classical music Dvorak’s ‘New World’. The concert ended with the final encore ‘Spring Festival Overture,’ which sent the new year’s blessing to the audiences. 

The concert created a precedent of China-Sri Lanka cultural exchanges and cooperation, which embodied the spirit of mutual learning and improving together, and made a good start for the serial celebration activities of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations.