Video: China pledges more financial aid to Lanka

28 May 2013 11:05 am

The China Exim Bank has pledged continuous support to Sri Lanka’s development work, particularly in areas involving road development, construction of highways and water supply projects.

China’s Exim Bank Chairman Li Ruogu, which financed Sri Lanka to build a new port, airport, a highway and several other development projects during the last seven years has given this assurance when he held talks with visiting President Mahinda Rajapaksa on this morning in Beijing.

During the meeting at the China World Hotel, President Rajapaksa has thanked the Chairman of the Exim Bank for the funding support given to Sri Lanka’s development projects.

“My government has deviated from the city-centered development strategy and embarked on the development of rural areas by enhancing infrastructure facilities,” President Rajapaksa has told the Chairman of the Bank, according to a statement issued by his office.

The Bank has provided financial assistance to 37 development projects in the country during the past seven years. These included the Mattala Rajapaksa international airport, the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Harbour and the southern highway.

President Rajapaksa also said that the development order inherited from the colonial era has been totally changed and the people are now enjoying the benefits of such changes.

The President has invited the chairman of the Exim Bank to engage in a tour in Sri Lanka.

President's secretary Lalith Weeratunga and finance ministry secretary P.B. Jayasundera also participated in the discussion.
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