Sri Lanka to strengthen diplomatic ties with China – Government

Sri Lanka said on Tuesday that it was keen to increase its diplomatic representation in China to project itself better and further the special relationship between the two countries. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama, welcoming the Vice Governor of the Yunnan Province Mr. Gao Feng said that Sri Lanka is planning to open another consulate in Chengdu by October this year following the setting up of a Consulate in Shanghai to strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Bogollagama requested the visiting official to consider operating flights from China to Sri Lanka in order to promote tourism between the two counties and assured the support of Sri Lanka in order to achieve this objective.

Bogollagama also sought the support of the Chinese government in setting up a students exchange programme between the two countries focusing on the technical education for students in Sri Lanka.

The visiting Chinese official announced that his Yunnan Province has decided to provide full scholarships to twenty Sri Lankan students. The Minister also appreciated the support extended by China to Sri Lanka in various international and multilateral fora and recorded the assistance rendered by China for Sri Lanka’s infrastructure developments such as roads, electricity among others, the Foreign Ministry said.