'SL will see rapid growth'

Athapattu BANDARA

Sri Lanka will see rapid growth under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's leadership, Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC) Vice Chairperson Zhang Meiying said when she called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday. President Rajapaksa thanked Zhang Meiying for coming to Sri Lanka to participate as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Performing Arts Theatre yesterday. He also thanked the Chinese government for constructing the theatre.

Zhang Meiying also expressed warm wishes of Chinese President Hu Jintao to the President and all Sri Lankans. She said that ties between Sri Lanka and China have grown stronger after President Rajapaksa's recent visit to China. President Rajapaksa also appreciated the continuous support by the Chinese government for Sri Lankan projects including the construction of the Norochcholai power plant and Hambantota port.

"The new theatre is a gift from the people and the government of China to the people and the government of Sri Lanka. It is envisaged that this would further strengthen the solidarity between the two nations," she added.

An agreement was also signed between the two countries for an annual donation of US $ 16 million. It was signed by Chinese ambassador in Sri Lanka Yang Xiuping and Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary P B Jayasundara.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, Cultural Affairs Minister T B Ekanayake, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugama and a Chinese delegation were also present.