Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Congratulated New Sri Lankan Speaker

On August 27, Chargé d’affaires of Chinese Embassy Mr. Hu Wei called-on the new Speaker Hon. Mr. Mahinda Abeywardena at the Sri Lankan Parliament Complex. Secretary General of the Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake was also present at the meeting. 
Hu Wei conveyed the congratulation message sent by H.E. Mr. Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (top legislature of China) on Mr. Abeywardena assuming the office as Speaker of the 9th Parliament of Sri Lanka. The Chinese envoy noted that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka goes back to ancient times, which at present not only exits on government to government and party to party level, but also is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, many heart-warming stories have again showed the strong support the two peoples extending to each other. With the smooth and successful convening of the new Parliament, China stands ready to strengthen legislature exchanges so as to promote pragmatic cooperation in all fields, and to enhance mutual support and coordination in the international arenas between two countries. 
Speaker Mahinda Abeywardena expressed his gratitude for Chairman Li Zhanshu’s sincere congratulations and recalled the Sri Lanka-China friendship which could be dated back for more than two thousand years. In 1952 the two countries broke the blockade by western powers and signed the remarkable Rubber-Rice Pact, and China offered its concrete support to Sri Lanka in defeating LTTE, reconstructing the island, and especially fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic this year. The Sri Lankan Parliament will as always be committed to enhancing more friendly communication with the National People’s Congress of China, facilitating a better legal environment for the bilateral mega projects, and upholding mutual support on core interests including territorial integrity and sovereignty in international arenas, so as to take bilateral relations to a new height.