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| Friday, 6 February 2004 |
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by Nadira Gunatilleke Long Hua Cultural International Institute, an organisation committed to promote historical, cultural and friendship ties between China and Sri Lanka was inaugurated yesterday at No. 7, Balahenamulla Lane, Kirulapona. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Director Long Hua Cultural International Centre, Dr. Hao Wei Min said the Long Hua Cultural International Centre was set up to promote ties between China and Sri Lanka. The ties will be strengthened through improving the use of language and communication. Arrangements will be made to assist Sri Lankans to learn Chinese and Chinese to learn Sinhalese, he said. The Chinese Government is now considering the possibility of setting up a giant cultural centre in Sri Lanka. The organisation will also assist the students to visit China for higher studies in the fields of culture, language and communication, Dr. Hao said. "It is significant to inaugurate this centre on the last day of the Chinese New Year Festival season which lasts for 15 days. According to Chinese people this is the year of monkey," he said. Secretary, Cultural Affairs, Chinese Embassy of Sri Lanka, Wang Yan Jun said this is the first time that a Chinese language teaching program is conducted in Sri Lanka. Last year around half a million Chinese tourists visited Sri Lanka. This is about five per cent of the total number of Chinese tourists. The Chinese language is the second most popular language among students in foreign universities. The most popular language is Spanish. China is the biggest market in the world, the Director said. Learning the Chinese language will help Sri Lankans to build up more business contacts with China. Persons who learn Chinese language will have a bright future, he added. Delivering a lecture on 'Art and Culture' Shelton Payagala said culture is not history but a continuous flow of a stream. "Martin Wickramasinghe wrote about culture both in Sinhala and English but at the end he looked at culture from a racial angle," he said. Upali Gamlath said cultural programs will be held every Poya day in the future at the centre. Any person can take part in this program without restrictions. The contact numbers of Long Hua Cultural International Institute are 011-2768834 and 011-2820657. |
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