Vice Mayor Zhou Bo expresses his delight over rapidly enhancing ties between Shanghai and Sri Lanka at the National Day celebration – විදේශ කටයුතු අමාත්‍යාංශය

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Sri Lankas National Day was celebrated on 4^th of February in Shanghai at the premises of the Consulate General with the participation of Sri Lankan expats in Shanghai and the SriLankan Airlines staff.

The official ceremony commenced with hoisting of the National Flag and playing the National Anthem, braving unusually cold weather.

This was followed by the lighting of the oil lamp, religious observances, 01 minute of silence to commemorate all those who have sacrificed their lives over centuries safeguarding the sovereignty of Sri Lanka and reading of messages by H. E. the President, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister of External Affairs.

In her, address, Consul General outlined the progress made in Sri Lanka in 2012, Sri Lanka –Shanghai bilateral relations and highlighted the activities planned for 2013, including the activities connected to the celebration of the 10^th anniversary of Colombo – Shanghai Sister City relations.

After the ceremony, Sri Lankans were treated to traditional Sri Lankan festive food.

On 27^th February, another reception was held to celebrate the National Day of Sri Lanka at the Radisson Blu Shanghai New World Hotel with the participation of high level leadership from Shanghai as well as from the Provinces of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu and Anhui, diplomats, Chinese officials, academics, cultural and media personalities, business community and expatriates.

Vice Mayor Zhou Bo, expressed his pleasure over how rapidly Sri Lanka Shanghai relations have being growing since the establishment of the Consulate in December 2007. He also noted that since last year reportage on Sri Lanka, its culture and its tourist potential has increased dramatically.

Consul General thanked the Vice Mayor for his comments and added that the Consulate General in Shanghai has been able to contribute significantly to growing ties between the two countries, literally and metaphorically bring “a taste of Sri Lanka” especially to Shanghai having held over 20 events to showcase Sri Lankan culture to friends in Shanghai, through food festivals, dance performances, exhibitions, gems, jewellery, tea and tourism promotion evenings. She also added that the high profile cultural personalities from Shanghai visiting Sri Lanka during the last year also helped immensely to highlight why Sri Lanka is indeed a ”Wonder of Asia” to Chinese people.

Vice Mayor acknowledged that tourism to Sri Lanka form China has increased over 50% and passengers from Shanghai to Colombo flying Sri Lankan Airlines alone has increased over 75% projects the effectiveness of the activities organized by the Consulate General.

Consul General in her address mentioned the economic revival and post-conflict developments taking place in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

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The participants were happy to note the historic facts about Sri Lanka - China relations, earliest records dating back to the “Book of Han”, the official chronicle of the Western Han Dynasty (1^st to 3^rd century C.E), in which, the chapter on geography, in the section referring to the Guangdong Province in Southern China (Di li zhi: Yue di tiao) mentions trading with Sri Lanka. Chinese historians have identified that the term “Si chen bu guo”, had been used to refer to Sri Lanka.

The Consul General also stated that in the modern era, with the signing of the Rubber – Rice Agreement in April 1952, bilateral relations have been growing steadily in all spheres, demonstrating to the world community that in spite of size of the countries as well as different political systems, countries can still maintain good relations.

2013 is a significant year for China, with the change of guard at the centre as well as in Shanghai. It is also a significant year when it comes to Sri Lanka – Shanghai relations as Colombo and Shanghai celebrates 10^th anniversary of Sister City relations. To commemorate this special occasion many activities are planned. Among those are the exhibitions by students of Little Masters’ New Agency and the Great Art Group, who have visited Sri Lanka, a photo exhibition by renown Chinese photographer, Dong Qiang Er, Sri Lanka Day at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, Book Donation Project between Shanghai Library and the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies as well as an exhibition on the theme “Late Hon. Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike and her Beautiful Motherland”, together with the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office.

Vice Mayor also commended the activities connected to the celebration of 10^th anniversary and in this regard the significance of the upcoming visit in March of a delegation led by Madam Zhang Lili, President of Shanghai Women’s Federation, who is also a Member of People’s Congress Standing Committee and also the Director of Foreign Affairs Committee as well as another high level delegation in April.

The guests were treated to a sumptuous buffet, including Sri Lankan food, after the officials ceremony.

Sri Lanka Consulate General in Shanghai

1^st March 2013

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