'Sri Lanka has forged ties with China'

I am very happy to be here on this historic occasion in celebration of the inauguration of the first ever airline between China and Sri Lanka, said Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala a Samaraweera at the Tourism International Expo 2005 held in Beijing.

Yesterday, at exactly 1320 hrs the SriLankan flight UL 888 - which I believe is a very lucky number according to Chinese astrology, made its maiden landing from Colombo following in the footsteps of many travellers who had taken this path over the centuries.

The silk route, as it was known in the ancient times was the axis of trade and commerce of that era. Historical records show that there were many routes to visit each other's countries.

One of the most well-known Roman historians Pliny has written that during the reign of emperor Claudius that there was an ambassador from Sri Lanka in the imperial court and that the brother of this ambassador was the ambassador for China at the same time.

Also as a result of our common heritage that of Buddhism, there have been many scholars and monks who have visited our respective countries to exchange and share views on Buddhism.

The great traveller monk Fa-Hsien in his records of 5th century AD known as Fo-Kwo-Ki contains a great deal of information on the Island of Sri Lanka. The work has now been translated to English by Prof Samuel Beal, also according to the Egyptian writer Ptolemy Sri Lanka during this time was renowned commercial hub where horses from Alexandria and silks from China were sold in quantity, Minister Samaraweera said.

He said: in more recent times, since the PRC was formed Sri Lanka's ties with China became even stronger. Since diplomatic ties with your country was established in the 1950s late S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka forged very close links with the new Chinese leadership.

However it was during the time of his widow the late Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike - the world's first woman Prime Minister that this link was firmly bonded into a lasting friendship. Chairman Mao Tse Tung and Prime Minister Chou-En-Lai became household names, loved and respected by the people of Sri Lanka.

Likewise I believe Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike also became a leader much dear to the people of China. During the last twelve years President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has steered this friendship into the 21st century and today China is one of Sri Lanka's leading trading partners. The presence today of Anura Bandaranaike, Minister of Tourism and Investment Promotions, - the illustrious son and brother of the architects of Sri Lanka-China friendship is also a clear indication of the importance our Government has placed in the commencement of this flight".

Minister Samaraweera said that the recent visit of your Prime Minister in the aftermath of the tsunami tragedy also was a significant event when China committed to help develope Sri Lanka even more so than before. A coal power plant project the largest to be commissioned in Sri Lanka, oil bunkering in the proposed port of Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka and a rail link between the international airport BIA and Colombo were 3 projects for which a new Chinese credit line has been agreed upon.

In addition, all the fisheries harbours destroyed by the tsunami are to be modernised and reconstructed by the Govt of China. As a country with great developmental prospects am sure there will also be many other projects which will be of interest to the Chinese business community".

"Tourism is also an area am certain will be of immense interest to many Chinese holiday makers. Sri Lanka is blessed not only with some of the finest beaches in the world, but also has some of the most important monuments of the Buddhist world, and of course not forgetting the natural beauty and truly Sri Lanka is the paradise on earth.

Although the food may not be as good as what you find in Beijing, many people tend to comment that Sri Lanka has more Chinese restaurants than even in China, the Minister said.

Unlike our forbearers who travelled before us we don't have to worry about robbers and bandits and bad weather, when navigating the silk route anymore what may have taken months and may be even years during the time of Fa-Hsein can now be done just over 8 hours in the comfort and security of SriLankan Airlines renowned for its hospitality.

The flight which operates between Colombo and Beijing thrice a week will be another stepping stone which will further strengthen the friendship which we have always had. This is why I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the senior Vice Minister of Civil Aviation Administration, and the Civil Aviation authorities of China for allocating Prime slots for our Airline making yesterday's inaugural flight a reality.

Let me also thank Mr. Peter Hill CEO and other Board Members of the Airline for initiating this important new destination to their world-wide network, my thanks also go out to the Chinese media for the extensive coverage given. Finally let me also thank the Guests who are present today for being with us this evening, and hope the cultural show which follows will inspire you to visit our beautiful asland nation, Minister Samaraweera said in conclusion.