China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Center inaugurated

[Gibbs]

China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre inaugurated ::ailyFT - Be Empowered

A long-felt need to promote and nurture Sino-Lanka relations was realised on 22 October, with the inauguration of the ‘China-Sri Lanka Cooperation Studies Centre’ (CSLCSC) at the headquarters of the Pathfinder Foundation (PF), by Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang.
China has been a steadfast friend of Sri Lanka during the long period of the armed conflict that ended in 2009. Since then, China stepped in to support infrastructure development that came to a standstill during the period of strife and funded numerous development projects at time when the country faced scarcity in foreign investment.

With the establishment of the CSLCSC, the PF expects to undertake research and studies to identify areas of economic cooperation, investment and promote people to people relations that would serve to further strengthening of bilateral cooperation. The centre is also expected to provide a linkage, facilitating contacts between think tanks, academics and researchers in the two countries, whose contributions would take Sino-Sri Lanka relations to a higher level of excellence.

Milinda Moragoda, Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, warmly greeted Ambassador Xi and his staff and following the inauguration of the centre, invited the ambassador to a dialogue with a group of erudite Buddhist monks, which lasted for over an hour. During the dialogue, venerable monks highlighted role of Buddhism in linking the two countries together since the days of the Chinese monk Fa Xian in the fifth century.

Ambassador Xi explained his personal mission in promoting religious and cultural relations between the two countries and agreed to provide assistance for young Buddhist monks to learn the Chinese language locally and facilitating them to further their education in China. He complemented Moragoda for the role played by him in bringing the Buddhist clergy for a dialogue with him and said the Pathfinder Foundation was the foremost among the think tanks in Sri Lanka that focused on multifaceted issues disseminating correct information to the public.

The group of leading Buddhist monks, who attended the dialogue, included Ven. Ittepane Dhammalankara, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa and Ven. Tirikunamale Ananda.
Highlighting his interest in seeing more Chinese Buddhists and monks visiting Sri Lanka, Ambassador Xi said his Embassy would promote two-way relationship that would cement historical relations. Commenting on Sino-Sri Lanka relations, Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of PF, said China’s unwavering friendship and close cooperation helped Sri Lanka to go through a difficult period.

“If the past had been difficult, future development prospects would be equally daunting, considering the expectations of people, particularly the youth. China could help Sri Lanka to weather difficult times by providing economic support and promoting investment and essential infrastructure development needed by the country.”

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[Gibbs]

China to boost cultural ties with Sri Lanka: ambassador - Xinhua | English.news.cn

COLOMBO, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- China attaches great importance to Sri Lanka's economic and social development needs, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang said here on Friday.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the China-Sri Lanka study center, the ambassador said as Sri Lanka's traditional friend, China looked to further strengthen its cooperation with the Sri Lankan Bhuddist community as both nations shared Bhuddism as its majority.

"Over 70 percent of the population of Sri Lankans believe in Buddhism, which plays an important role in the social life of this island nation. China always attaches importance to the Sri Lanka Buddhist community in terms of cooperation and communication," the Chinese ambassador said.

"Under the Chinese embassy's help, more than 100 Chinese Buddhists visited Sri Lanka, while more than 150 Sri Lankan monks visited China for exchange programs. In the future, China will encourage more exchange visits between the two countries and will further promote exchanges and cooperation between China and the Sri Lankan Buddhist culture," he added.

During the first half of 2015, China has provided over 1,100 training and scholarship opportunities to Sri Lankans and the country now looks to further increase these numbers.

Based on the significant progress made by the two countries in areas such as political, economic and cultural and civil exchanges in the recent years, the China-Sri Lanka Cooperation study center is also one of the results of cooperation between the two countries, Yi said.

Venerable Sri Lankan Bhuddist monks who participated in the event noted that Sri Lanka and China shared a strong bond and China had provided support and assistance to Sri Lanka for the post war economic development.

The monks further said Bhuddist exchanges between the two countries had increased and they hoped in the future China would take action to strengthen the Chinese language skills of the Sri Lankan Bhuddist monks.

Sorry posted in the wrong section.. Mods pls move this to China & Far East sub Forum.. Tks @waz @Slav Defence