China assures support to SL at IMF Board Meetings

• The importance of further strengthening the existing economic, agricultural and cultural relations between China and Sri Lanka in the face of the current economic crisis was emphasized

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zenhong assured China, as member of the International Monetary Fund, will provide necessary support provided at the meeting of its Board of Directors, a statement from the Prime Minister’s office said.   

The ambassador called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane and discussed economic, agricultural and cultural relations between China and Sri Lanka in the face of the current economic crisis.

The discussion initiated with a satisfactory reference to the historical bilateral relations between the two countries.  

“The Ambassador officially handed over the congratulatory message sent by the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to the new Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.   During the meeting, the importance of further strengthening the existing economic, agricultural and cultural relations between China and Sri Lanka in the face of the current economic crisis was emphasized.   

Appreciating the assistance provided by China to alleviate the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said Sri Lanka would welcome direct private investments as well as investments in agriculture, renewable energy, and irrigation and water supply sectors to provide long term solutions to economic issues.  He also emphasized the importance of increasing Chinese tourist to Sri Lanka once again.   Chinese investment opportunities related to industries and agriculture sector in the Hambantota Economic Zone centered in the Southern Province were also discussed during the meeting.   China expects that Sri Lanka’s discussions with the International Monetary Fund will be successful, and since China is also a member of the International Monetary Fund, the Ambassador assured that the necessary support will be provided at the meeting of the IMF Board of Directors.   The Minister offered his felicitations to the Centenary of the Chinese Communist Party.   Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake was also present at this meeting,” the statement said.