BADULLA : Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka visited Uva Province to distribute dry rations boxes under the Faxian Charity Project to 1,500 needy families from all communities and pay tribute to the statue of national hero Keppetipola Disawe at the remote town of Keppetipola, Badulla.
On the morning of 28 June, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong joined Most Venerable Warakagoda Gnanarathana, Mahanayake Thero of Asgiri Chapter in a distribution ceremony at the historic Muthiyangana Temple in Badulla. 500 families from all communities received dry rations donation gifted by the Chinese Buddhism Association and temples. Dignitaries across the Uva Province also attended the ceremony with the Mahanayake Thero. Distribution ceremonies were also arranged in the coming two days at the Boralanda Temple in Welimada and the Yudaganawa Temple in Buttala.
On the sidelines, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong made a special visit to the remote town of Keppetipola to pay tribute to the well-known national hero. Accompanied by local government officials, Bhikkhus and primary school students, Ambassador Qi laid wreaths to the statue of Keppetipola Disawe, with a ribbon saying “Tribute to heroes who fought bravely for independence and freedom against colonization and invasion——by Embassy of China in Sri Lanka”.
In his remarks, Ambassador Qi highlighted the purpose of his visit is to openly extend China’s continuous support to Sri Lankan people fighting against all challenges both domestic and external.
Qi said that the relations and Buddhist friendship between China and Sri Lanka has a history of more than 2 thousand years. The two peoples always learn from each other and help each other. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic, especially after Sri Lanka faced the worst economic crisis since independence last year, China shares the difficulties encountered by Sri Lankan brothers and sisters, and the Chinese central government, local authorities, ministries and social organizations have extended a helping hand, providing all kinds of assistance from vaccines to medicines, from rice to fuel, from school uniforms to school bags etc., which have been warmly welcomed and widely praised by all walks of life in Sri Lanka. “As a good brother, good friend and good partner of Sri Lanka, no matter the past, present or future, no matter what difficulties and challenges you encounter, the Chinese people will always stand with you. We believe that Sri Lanka, with its long and unique civilization and indomitable spirit, with the history of having overcome countless foreign invasions, terrorism, tsunami and other disasters in its history, will certainly be able to overcome current temporary economic difficulties.”
Ambassador Qi stressed that the people of Sri Lanka are an indomitable people and a heroic people. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence, and it is a meaningful to visit Uva Province where the first great rebellion against the brutal rule of the British colonialists took place about 200 years ago. We pay tribute to Keppetipola Disawa and others who led this rebellion for independence and freedom against colonization and invasion.
“This is not only a review of history, an enlightenment for the present, but also an expectation for the future. At present, neo-colonialism and hegemonism have not disappeared, and the vast number of developing countries, including China and Sri Lanka, are still suffering from it. China firmly upholds international fairness and justice, advocates the practice of true multilateralism, takes a clear stand against all hegemonism and power politics, and unswervingly opposes any unilateralism, protectionism and bullying. History has revealed that the deeper the cooperation between China and Sri Lanka and the stronger the friendship goes, the safer Sri Lanka’s sovereign independence, stronger its economic and social development, and the more secure its unique civilization will be. Besides, other forces will deal with Sri Lanka in a more equal, respectful and reciprocal manner.
We are willing to work hand in hand with our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka to seek common development, meet challenges and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Ambassador Qi.
