'Sino-Lanka ties withstood test of vicissitudes'

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations 55 years ago, the China-Sri Lanka friendship has withstood the test of international vicissitudes, the visiting State Councilor and Minister of National Defence of the People's Republic of China, General Liang Guanglie said.

He was delivering a special lecture at the Defence Services Command and Staff College of Sri Lanka at Batalanda with Chief of Defence Staff, Tri-Forces Commanders and Senior Military officers from Sri Lanka in attendance.

While stating that he was deeply honoured to be the first Chinese Defence Minister to visit Sri Lanka, General Guanglie said, "we are ready to take this opportunity to further advance the all-round cooperation partnership of sincere mutual support and ever-lasting friendship between us".

Speaking on the ties between the two countries since ancient times, he said that Sri Lanka has played an important role in promoting China's trade and cultural exchanges with South Asia and other neighbouring countries.

Commenting on an incident which happened in 2009, the General said, that a Sri Lankan brigade commander who was studying in the PLA Army Command College in Nanjing, China after volunteering for a blood donation campaign had said, "During the last 24 years, I sacrificed my blood and sweat on the battlefield to safeguard the sovereignty of my native land. China has been an inseparable companion in our victorious march towards the elimination of terrorism. Today I am delighted as I leave my blood in China, my heart and blood are forever with the Chinese people."

While saying the above the General stated "the sincere words of this Sri Lankan Brigade Commander amply demonstrated the precious friendship between our two peoples, the friendship of standing together in difficult times, the friendship of feeling connected deep in our hearts."

The general said that China today was glad to see the Sri Lankan people being united in their efforts of maintaining domestic political stability and actively conducting post-war reconstruction. "Great achievements have been made. We have every reason to believe that Sri Lanka's tomorrow will be even brighter and more beautiful.

Lets join our hands, and work together for opening up a new chapter in the China-Sri Lanka friendly and cooperative relations, and contribute to the welfare of our two peoples and peace and development in the world" he added. Answering a question from an officer the Commander said that China has decided to provide opportunities to 140 Sri Lankan Security Forces Personnel to engage in defense studies in China for year 2012, 2013. To mark the occasion the Chief of Defense Staff, Air Chief Marshall Roshan Gunatilake presented the visiting Chinese Minister of Defense the traditional memento of the staff college.