SriLankan Airlines inaugural flight to Beijing :

Lanka, China ties further strengthened, says Mangala

FROM ANJANA Gamage in Beijing, China

THE close bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and China will be further strengthened with SriLankan Airlines flying to its newest destination Beijing, said Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Addressing a press conference organised by SriLankan Airlines to mark the inaugural Beijing flight - U.L. 888 at the Kempinski Hotel in Beijing yesterday, the Minister also hoped more Chinese tourists would visit Sri Lanka.

"China was popularly known as the Silk Route in the first century AD and many books written about the ancient period have clearly described the historical relationship between China and Sri Lanka," he said.

Samaraweera also said the information also focused on political and cultural links between the two countries.

"The diplomatic ties between the two countries were almost at its peak during the period of the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. With Sirimavo Bandaranaike becoming the world's first woman Prime Minister in 1956, the friendship became more strengthened and Mrs. Bandaranaike's name became a household name in China," he said.

"President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has further strengthened the close relationship between China and Sri Lanka. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's recent visit to Sri Lanka was important to us," Samaraweera said.

In addition to other investments in Sri Lanka, the Chinese Government has decided to invest Rs. 300 million for the Norachcholai coal power plant, the proposed port in Hambantota and the road development, he said.

The Minister also told the Chinese media that there were many Chinese restaurants in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Tourist Board Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara said over 20 million Chinese have travelled overseas last year underscoring the fact that China is emerging as a major source market for tourism in small countries including Sri Lanka.

Chinese visitors to Sri Lanka increased by over 33 per cent in 2004 compared to 2003. It increased by 57 per cent last month as against May 2004, Nanayakkara said.

"Banyan Tree, Aman Resorts, Per Aquam, Hyatt, Six Senses and many others are negotiating to develop new accommodation and tourism related facilities in key tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. What we are striving to achieve is orderly growth and expect that we will be well equipped to handle one million tourists by 2010," he said.

SriLankan Airlines CEO Peter Hill said the flight will operate from Colombo to Beijing via Bangkok every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

"We also hope to expand our services to other cities in China like Shanghai and Guangzhou shortly," he said.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka in China Nihal Rodrigo, Commercial Head of SriLankan Airlines Barry Brown and Corporate Communication Manager Chandana Silva also spoke. BOI Chairman Saliya Wickremasooriya was also present.