Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation and Leader of your home of Parliament, Bimal Rathnayake, was chosen as the Chair of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament at the conference held on March 21 under the chairmanship of Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne at the Parliament.This meeting marked the re-establishment of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association, the Parliamentary Communications Department specified in a statement.The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, participated in this event as the chief guest.Furthermore, Member of Parliament (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law, was elected as the Secretary of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association.Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, revealing his views on the celebration, recalled the long-standing bilateral cultural and political relations between China and Sri Lanka, preserved for centuries, according to the statement.He even more highlighted that the Parliamentary Friendship Association is a platform for boosting these relations.
He also highlighted the value of working carefully to further enhance bilateral relations in financial, trade, education, and technological sectors, making sure optimum benefits for both parties.The Speaker worried that the newly designated authorities of this association need to actively take part in attaining these objectives.Joining the celebration, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, stressed the importance of strengthening relations in equally interested fields through the Friendship Association.He likewise remembered the friendly and cooperative relations in between Sri Lanka and China, especially during tough times, and extended his best dreams to the recently appointed authorities of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association.Expressing his gratitude upon being elected as the Chair of the Association, Minister Bimal Rathnayake acknowledged Chinas longstanding friendly support for Sri Lanka, the statement said.He particularly stressed the significance of sharing Chinas knowledge and experience in fields such as education and trade industries.
The Chair invited all members to interact to reinforce Sri Lanka-China relations.Furthermore, he requested that the programs and workshops previously arranged through the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association for Sri Lankan agents likewise be reached the young Members of Parliament in the current Parliament.Delivering the vote of thanks, the Secretary of the Association, Member of Parliament (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law, emphasized the Associations dedication to more enhancing the enduring ties between China and Sri Lanka, it added.The occasion was gone to by the Leader of the Opposition, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, and several others.