China extends full support to boost Sri Lanka’s economy
– Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Dongming, stated that China would extend its full support to the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts to rebuild the lives of the Sri Lankan people and overcome the challenges posed by Cyclone Ditwah, expressing confidence that Sri Lanka will recover rapidly under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Mr. 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 Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (17) during his official visit to Sri Lanka.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 emphasized 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 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 program being implemented by the Government.President Anura Kumara 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 program to restore the livelihoods of the affected communities and return their daily lives to normalcy.
The meeting was attended by Lu Xinshe, Chairman of the Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Wang Ke, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Deputy Head of the China–Sri Lanka Friendship Group of the National People’s Congress, Tan TianXing, Vice Chairman of the Social Development Affairs Committee, Tang Jian, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the General Office of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Yang Yin, Counsellor of the Asian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sha Long, Third Secretary of the Asian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, along with other officials.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage.