Chinese Embassy official hails Northern economic, social revival

Rasika Somarathna in Kilinochchi

The rapid progress of road infrastructure in the North has helped to hasten economic and social revival in the former conflict battered province, Charge d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Colombo Ren Faqiang said.

He was addressing a public rally held at Kilinochchi to coincide with the opening of the renovated A-9 highway by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday.

He said the renovation of A-9 road stretch from Galkulama to Jaffna (153 km) was a big success.

“Sri Lanka and China have enjoyed several bilateral successes in the recent past. The visit of President Rajapaksa to China was a big success and the opening of the renovated A-9 road is another,” he added.

Ren went on to say”We Chinese believe infrastructure is the foundation for development. This seems to be the case in the North too where infrastructure building has been the foundation for rapid development,” he added.

While stating that ties between the two countries have reached a new high, Ren said relations will keep on growing in the future as well. China was a major partner in the renovation of the A-9 road stretch from Galkulama to Jaffna. The China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation (CATIC-ENG) was the main contractor.

A Chinese bank also partly funded the cost of the renovation. CATIC-ENG and Chinese embassy officials were in Kilinochchi to witness the opening.