Boost for Lanka-China ties - Media Minister

CHINA: At the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, a Government Diplomatic Delegation including SLFP General Secretary Minister Maitripala Sirisena and Assistant Secretary Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa made an official tour of Beijing, China from October 19 to 28.

Half way through the tour Minister Maitripala Sirisena returned to the island to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the SLFP and the UNP while the rest of the delegation including Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa continued the tour to an end, promoting bilateral diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka successfully.

Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa who met the representatives of the Chinese Communist Party conveyed the greetings of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the SLFP including its General Secretary to the Chinese Communist Party.

The tour further strengthened the historical strong ties between the two countries and the strong bonds between the SLFP and the Chinese Communist Party.

The delegates of the two parties in the course of the tour paid attention to social, economic, cultural and educational interests important to the two countries.

They discussed matters relating to Chinese entrepreneurial investment in Sri Lanka, the exchange of knowledge and promotion of bilateral trade, the Power sector affecting the economic development process in Sri Lanka and loan facilities for the development of rural roads and infrastructure were among other matters they paid attention.

The tour highlighted the Chinese people's hopes to see political stability, development peace and harmony in Sri Lanka.

Minister Yapa explained to the Chinese delegation that the Government of Sri Lanka under President Mahinda Rajapaksa is committed to achieving a negotiated settlement to the ethnic problem with the consensus of all parties in Sri Lanka.