Sinhala language library opens at Yunnan University

Yunnan University

The Sinhala Language Library of Yunnan University, one of the leading State universities in China that teaches Sinhala, was recently inaugurated by Yunnan University School of Foreign Languages Dean Prof. Liu Shusen and Department of Sinhala Studies Lecturer Sugath Ratnayake.

Yunnan University School of Foreign Languages Secretary of the Party Committee Wang Yiguang, Deputy Deans Prof. Xie Ping, Prof. Zang Yunfa, Prof. Wang Hao, as well as Chinese Lecturer in the Department of Sinhala Studies Liu Ye and a group of Sinhala language students at the University were present on the occasion.

This library of 1000 books was started by the lecturer Sugath Ratnayake for the benefit of Chinese students studying Sinhala as a major at Yunnan University. The required Sinhala books have been donated by Sugath’s personal funds as well as from the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka and the Read Plus Consortium.

Sugath Ratnayake’s donation has been highly praised and commended by the Heads of Yunnan Universities. They say it has played a vital role in building the Sinhala language curriculum at the University and in the Sri Lanka - China friendly exchange. 

Accordingly, at a meeting chaired by the university leaders, it was decided to set up a “Sri Lanka-China Friendship Library”, said Foreign Language School Secretary of the Party Committee Wang Yiguang, at the opening of the library. He expressed his gratitude and respect to Sugath on behalf of the teachers and students of the entire University.

Addressing the event, Yunnan University School of Foreign Languages Dean Prof. Liu Shusen said that this large volume of books has made our school’s Sinhala book collection one of the top universities in the country. He said that the “Sri Lanka-China Friendship Library” established by our University based on those books is a testament to the friendship between China and the people of Sri Lanka. 

The Dean of the Faculty requested Sugath to extend his sincere gratitude to the former Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, leading Ministry of Education officials, the Reed Plus Consortium, your wife, your daughter and all the friends who assisted in this endeavour.

Speaking at the event, Lecturer Sugath Ratnayake said that the establishment of the “Sri Lanka - China Friendship Library” was an important milestone in his university career and would turn a new page in the history of Sri Lanka-China relations. 

He said he was very proud and happy to be able to start a library with 1000 books, less than two years after the establishment of the Department of Sinhala Studies at Yunnan University. He also appealed to the students who attended the event to study hard and dedicate themselves to further strengthen the Sri Lanka - China friendship.

A Chinese lecturer in the Department of Sinhala Studies Liu Ye, commented on the new library. “We appreciate the people from Sri Lanka who helped us build this library. Lack of Sinhala books was an obstacle to our Sinhala education. With these books, students can now develop a better understanding of the friendship between Sri Lanka and the two countries.”

At the opening ceremony of the library, School of Foreign Languages Dean Prof. Liu Shusen, presented a Certificate of Honour to Sugath Ratnayake on behalf of Yunnan University.

Several Sinhala language students who participated in the event also commented on the Sri Lanka-China Friendship Library.

Fu Renyan (Sinhala Name - Vishwi): “This book donation is very good. Very important for the cultural exchange between the two countries. We would also like to donate Chinese books to Sri Lanka.”

Pan Jianliang (Sinhala name - Savith): “These books will be important to develop the Sinhala language in our university. Thank you to all Sri Lankans, including you, for donating these.”

Lu Chang (Sinhala name - Akash): “I saw a lot of little story books with pictures. Very simple. Now we can read them.”

Gong Hengying (Sinhala name - Abhisheka): “I am truly honoured to be your student. I am amazed at your daughter’s sacrifice and your wife’s commitment.”

The Department of Sinhala Language Studies at Yunnan University was established in September 2020. That year, 20 Chinese students were enrolled to study Sinhala as a major and another group of new students are scheduled to be enrolled in September this year.

Article on the establishment of the library is available on the Yunnan University Foreign Schools website.

Opening of the library by Yunnan University School of Foreign Languages Dean Prof. Liu Shusen and Department of Sinhala Lecturer Sugath Ratnayake

Sugath Ratnayake with the deans, deputy deans, teachers and students

Yunnan University School of Foreign Languages Dean Prof. Liu Shusen delivering a warm speech at the ribbon-cutting ceremony

School of Foreign Languages Dean Prof. Liu Shusen presents a Certificate of Honour to Sugath Ratnayake on behalf of Yunnan University