(UTV|COLOMBO) – President Maithripala Sirisena said that Sri Lanka strongly supports the Belt and Road Initiative and attached great importance to the joint mega-projects of Colombo Port City as well as the Hambantota Port and Industrial Park.
The President expressed these views when Ambassador of China, Cheng Xueyuan, called upon President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s Official Residence to exchange views on China-Sri Lanka relations and joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.
President Sirisena said the tremendous assistance provided by China to the economic and social development of this island nation is highly appreciated by the Sri Lankan government and its people, a release from Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka said.
Furthermore, China’s continues support is indispensable for Sri Lanka to realize its future development and make itself a new economic centre of the Indian Ocean Region.Instructions have been given to concerned government departments by the President’s Office to accelerate the resolution of specific issues and make solid progress in the projects. President Sirisena expressed his objective to attract more investment and assistance from China for Sri Lanka’s economic development as well as its people’s livelihood.
The President looks forward to the early groundbreaking of the National Nephropathy Specialist Hospital assisted by the Chinese side to relief the pain of local patients.Commenting on Hambantota Port the President said that the handing over of Hambantota Port after its long-term unsuccessful operation is another fresh example. The two countries’ friendly cooperation in Hambantota Port is focusing on economic development without any other hidden agenda.
Ambassador Cheng said that based on the principles of “Consultation, Contribution and Shared Benefits”, China will actively promote Sino-SL pragmatic cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to benefit the two countries and peoples.
It is believed that under the joint efforts of both sides, especially under the personal guidance of President Sirisena, mega-projects of the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Comprehensive Development Project would rapidly developed so as to help the island country realize its development dream.
China is willing to support Sri Lanka in developing its economy and improving its people’s livelihood. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to promote its economic and social development in the spirit of mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, so as to build a China-Sri Lanka Community of Shared Future.”
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