SriLankan begins Colombo-Beijing airlink

FROM ANJANA Gamage in Beijing

EARMARKING the historical and political ties between Sri Lanka and China, UL 888 the inaugural flight between Beijing and Colombo touched down here at 1.32 pm on Wednesday.

Industries, Investment Promotions and Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike and Minister of Ports and Aviation Mangala Samaraweera were the special guests of the inaugural flight.

The two ministers were welcomed at the Beijing Capital International Airport by Vice Minister Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) Yang Guoqving, Head of Beijing capital International Airport (BCIA) Wang Jia Dong, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in China, Nihal Rodrigo and the CEO of SriLankan Airlines Peter Hill, and the Chairman of Beijing Ground Handling Services (BGS) Han Wei.

The guests were accompanied to the VIP lounge and the welcome speech was made by SriLankan Country Manager of China, Ajith Weerasekera.

A toast to celebrate the beginning of a new journey and for the success of SLA to Beijing was proposed by the Corporate Communications Manager of SriLankan Airlines Chandana de Silva.

Meanwhile, Minister Anura Bandaranaike also visited the Qingdao Tourism International Expo in Qindao city yesterday by the invitation of the Foreign Minister in China, Le Zaho Xing, whose birthplace is Qingdao city as well.

Minister Bandaranaike will also visit the Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) in Beijing on June 22, where Sri Lanka Tourist Board and 12 other leading tour companies from Sri Lanka will participate.

During his stay in Beijing, the Minister will also discuss matters of mutual interest and promote more Chinese investments in Sri Lanka.