China extends full support to boost SL’s economic, social development

• China National People’s Congress Standing Committee Vice Chairman Wang Dongming visits Sri Lanka
• Expresses confidence Sri Lanka will recover rapidly under leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
• Sri Lanka expects technical assistance from China for restoration and reconstruction of damaged railway network

China National People’s Congress Standing Committee Vice Chairman Wang Dongming yesterday assured China would extend its full support to Sri Lanka’s efforts to rebuild the lives of people and overcome the challenges posed by Cyclone Ditwah.

He also expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will recover rapidly under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

Wang made these remarks when he, along with a delegation of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, met President Dissanayake.

Expressing deep concern over the severe disaster faced by Sri Lanka, the Vice Chairman noted that both the Chinese Government and the Chinese people were deeply saddened by the situation and emphasised that China acted promptly from the outset to provide relief assistance to the affected Sri Lankan people.

He further stated that the purpose of the visit was to further strengthen the long-standing economic, cultural and diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China.

President Dissanayake expressed his sincere appreciation to the Vice Chairman and the accompanying delegation for visiting Sri Lanka during this difficult period and gratefully acknowledged the heartfelt support extended by China, including both material and financial assistance provided to the people affected by the disaster.

The President also conveyed Sri Lanka’s request to the Chinese Government and the President Xi Jinping, for the provision of technical assistance to restore and reconstruct the severely damaged railway network.

In addition, President Dissanayake briefed the Chinese delegation on the disaster situation faced by Sri Lanka and the ongoing recovery and reconstruction programme being implemented by the Government.

President Dissanayake stated that the Government’s immediate priority was the rescue of people affected by the disaster, followed by relocating them to safe locations and ensuring the provision of essential facilities such as food and healthcare. The President further noted that the Government is now implementing a well-planned programme to restore the livelihoods of the affected communities and return their daily lives to normalcy.

The meeting was attended by National People’s Congress of China Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee Chairman Lu Xinshe, Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Chairman and National People’s Congress China–Sri Lanka Friendship Group Deputy Head Wang Ke, Social Development Affairs Committee Vice Chairman Tan TianXing, General Office of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Foreign Affairs Bureau Deputy Director-General Tang Jian, Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry Asian Affairs Department Counsellor Yang Yin, Third Secretary Sha Long, and Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, along with other officials.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Labour Ministerand Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage.