Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu Show to be held in Sri Lanka for first time

By Shannon Jayawardena

Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations and the 65th Anniversary of the signing of rubber and rice pact between China and Sri Lanka, a Chinese Kung Fu show is to be held in Sri Lanka for the first time from 12 to 17 December.

The event is being organised by the Association for Sri Lanka China Social and Cultural Cooperation, Sri Lanka China Friendship Association, Sri Lanka China Society and the Sri Lanka China Journalists Forum in collaboration with The People’s Government of Henan Province and Ministry of China, China Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development and is sponsored by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

The Shaolin Kung Fu show will consist of a 25 member team of warrior monks hailing from the Shongshan Shaolin Temple. Their training base is considered to be the cradle of Kung Fu martial arts in China and dates back to more than 1,500 years.

Wild animals being a regular encounter of the Shaolin Monks, their practical style of martial arts is based on the behaviour and survival skills of these animals. Kung Fu being a method of survival was essential to these monks who lived in the jungle and was their only weapon of defence. Furthermore Kung Fu is only used as a defence mechanism either to protect one’s self or those who cannot defend themselves and is based on the law of nature.

This exquisite and elegant style of martial arts will be displayed by the team of warrior monks themselves in Sri Lanka with a feature performance of the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theatre. Sri Lanka too is known for its cultural martial arts hence the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China believes that the event will enhance the knowledge on both countries cultural heritage while promoting the bond between Sri Lanka and China.

The first show will be held on 12 December at 5:30 p.m. at the newly opened Municipal Indoor Stadium in Kandy. The second follows the next day at 5 p.m. at the Pulathisi Buddhi Mandapaya in Polonnaruwa. The third show will be held on 15 December at 3:30 p.m. at the Magam Ruhunupura International Conference Hall in Hambantota.

The fourth and fifth will be held in Colombo on 17 December, one being at 10 a.m. at the Viharamadevi Open Air Theatre and the other at 6:30 p.m. at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.

All shows except the final show at Nelum Pokuna will be open to public with free entrance as the Embassy hopes that the event will further establish the friendship amongst the countries especially at this time where the ‘One Belt One Road Initiative’ is being promoted by China. At present the two countries are at the peak of strategic cooperative partnership in transforming Sri Lanka as a significant trade and cultural partner in the new Maritime Silk route. Hence the delegation strongly advocates the event as to strengthen the existing salient and robust relationship between Sri Lanka and China.