INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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.
