Sri Lanka Embassy in China

Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury is in Beijing to attend First High-Level Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. He met with the Vice Chairman of the CIDCA and discussed opportunities for further cooperation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry concludes successful visit to China

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka

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Foreign Minister Ali Sabry met with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Qin Gang, and their cordial discussions focused on further strengthening the bilateral relationship and economic cooperation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka arrives in Beijing to attend World Economic Forum and bilateral meetings.

Sri Lanka unreservedly rejects the unfounded allegations by the Canadian Prime Minister – Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka Sri Lanka unreservedly rejects the unfounded allegations by the Canadian Prime Minister The Ministry of Foreign Affairs unreservedly rejects the statement issued by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on 18 May 2023 containing outrageous claims of genocide relating to the past conflict in Sri...

Ceylon Tea celebrates International Tea Day 2023

As we celebrate this day with every stakeholder in the industry, along with FAO, we salute over 400,000 smallholder tea garden owners and their families who produce 70% of the finest tea exported from Sri Lanka, supporting and strengthening the economy of Sri Lanka.

Visit: www.pureceylontea.com

The Lucrative Chinese Market Could Provide Sri Lanka's Tea Industry with Options for Expansion

Read more: ➡️ https://www.beijing.embassy.gov.lk/media-detail/353

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka

Leading Sri Lankan Monks Bring the Message of Vesak, Peace and harmony, to Beijing

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing hosted a grand Vesak celebration on 5 May with around 500 Chinese and Sri Lankans participating. While the staff worked tirelessly, teams of Chinese well wishers made the event an outstanding success.

Read more ➡️ https://www.beijing.embassy.gov.lk/media-detail/352

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona declares open Centre to develop Chinese and Sri Lankan Traditional Medicine
Read more: ➡️ https://www.beijing.embassy.gov.lk/media-detail/349

of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka

Awrudu Customs and Rituals Reach China through the Silk Route

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https://www.beijing.embassy.gov.lk/media-detail/348

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona Promotes Sri Lanka Tourism and Investment Opportunities at the Global Diplomats’ Chinese Cultural Night.

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Ambassador Dr Palitha Kohona Visits the Head Offices of Huawei, Skyworth and Zonergy In Shenzhen

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Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona was the Guest Speaker at the China International Gems and Jewellery Exhibition, Beijing

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Ambassador Dr Palitha Kohona Undertakes Successful Visit to Xiamen

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Enthusiastic response to the Tourism Promotion Event held at the Embassy, Beijing
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Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Independence

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Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing extends its best wishes to all our Chinese friends for a Happy Lunar New Year 2023.

Commencement of the First Working Day of 2023

Visit Sri Lanka - The Irresistible Tourist Hotspot in the Middle of the Indian Ocean

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https://www.beijing.embassy.gov.lk/media-detail/307

Sri Lanka will be the First Tourism Destination for “Spring Travel”

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https://www.beijing.embassy.gov.lk/media-detail/306

5th CIIE - An Impressive Success for Sri Lanka

https://www.beijing.embassy.gov.lk/media-detail/305

“Come Visit the Sapphire Capital of the World"- Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona at the CIIE International Jewellery Summit, Shanghai

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona who was the keynote speaker at the CIIE International Jewellery Summit on 10 November 2022, urged participants attending the event to visit Sri Lanka not only to satisfy their dream of purchasing a gem from the island's fabulous harvest of precious stones but also to enjoy its incomparable tourist attractions and fabled tourist attractions.

Kings, queens and princesses continue to adorn themselves with Sri Lanka's fabulous gems, while the biggest are on display at mighty museums.

Sri Lanka has been producing a wide range of valuable coloured stones for millennia and was continuing to do so. The motherland was nowhere near to being exhausted. Today, Lanka was recognised as the blue sapphire capital of the world.
The event was well attended by the Chinese industry, including representatives of the government regulatory bodies and the Shanghai Gem and Jade Exchange. Among the speakers were Shu Guiyu, Shanghai People's Government, Liu Pingjun, Chairman, China Council for Brand Development and among the key international speakers (on line) were Gaetano Cavalieri, Chairman of Confederation Internationale Common Standards - who spoke extensively on the Blue Books, Clement Sabbagh, President Coloured Stone Association, and Tamarong, Chairman, ASEAN Gem and Jewellery Association.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
11 November, 2022

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona Promotes Sri Lanka's Tourist Attractions at the Shanghai CIIE

Addressing the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) Culture, Tourism and Health Summit Forum in Shanghai, Ambassador Dr. Kohona invited the dinner guests to consider Sri Lanka as their next travel option. After three years of not being able to travel freely due to COVID related travel restrictions, the time had come to start making serious travel plans. With the hectic and highly successful CIIE drawing to a close, the days getting shorter, and the winter's icy embrace beginning to strengthen its grip, it was time to dream of relaxing and unwinding. Sri Lanka's mild climate, blue sky, endless golden beaches, tea covered mountain ranges, lush tropical forests abounding with elephants and a range of other wild life, a rich Buddhist heritage going back thousands of years, archeological sites second to none, a hospitable and smiling people and an exciting world class cuisine, must surely be part of ones travel dreams.
The large audience consisting mainly of participants at the CIIE reacted enthusiastically and many inquiries followed later. A tourism promotion video was also screened and was greeted enthusiastically.
A daughter of Premier Zhou Enlai, who fondly recalled her father's visit to Sri Lanka, was also introduced to Ambassador Kohona earlier.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing

09 November, 2022

HE President Ranil Wickremesinghe Addresses the CIIE

HE President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the first speaker after President Xi Jinping to address, on line, the well attended and highly prestigious 5th China International Import Expo CIIE and the Hongqiao Economic Forum Opening Ceremony. In addition to the President of Sri Lanka, the opening ceremony was addressed by the heads of State or Government of Mauritania, Mozambique, Belarus, Guyana, Solomon Islands, and the Director General of the World trade Organisation, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, and the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Vice Premier Hu Chunghua moderated the opening session. Li Qiang, the new Standing Committee member, who is tipped to succeed Li Keqiang as Premier wrapped up the session. They were both physically present at the opening ceremony.

President Xi underlined the continued high level opening up of China and the firm commitment to multilateralism. He again emphasized his vision of a shared future, and common prosperity for humanity. High quality development will continue to be pursued by China in a dual circulation economy.

Speakers noted the growth of exports to China. China will import ten trillion Dollars worth of goods in the next few years creating vast opportunities for all countries. China, even today, is the largest exporter of goods in the world. It is the second largest importer of goods and services.

HE Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised the importance of China as a destination for our exports, the most important source of imports, and a significant source of FDI and tourists.

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona represented Sri Lanka at the ceremony.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing

05 November 2022

Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing continues to encourage one million Chinese tourists

To further encourage major Chinese travel operators to promote Sri Lanka as a destination of choice, post-COVID-19, The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing, hosted a ‘Sri Lanka Tourism and Culture Event’ on 25 October 2022 in collaboration with around 60-70 tour operators, travel agencies and media.

Among the participants were the UN Resident Coordinator in China, CITS, Smile Time, Sri Lanka Airlines in Beijing, CYTS, Zhonghe Travel, CAISSA Travel, Spring International Travel, China Cruise Industry Development, Ctrip, Wu Zhouxing Travel, Fashion Travel, and other travel agencies specializing on Sri Lanka tourism. Ties with the major Chinese travel agencies and tour operators have been enhanced and would likely increase the flow of tourists to Sri Lanka once the China travel restrictions are relaxed.

The Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona addressing the gathering said "Sri Lanka has opened its borders for some time now and travelers can enter Sri Lanka without any restrictions. Almost every place of tourist interest has been reopened to travelers. Despite the social unrest, earlier this year, Sri Lanka tourism has been gradually returning to normalcy. So far, we are receiving visitors from all over the world."

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona also invited all participants and their families to visit Sri Lanka when the Chinese restrictions are relaxed and experience the beauty and hospitality of Sri Lanka.

"The development of tourism has been at the centre of Sri Lanka’s economic policies for decades and the source of much growth. Now is the opportunity to promote sustainable tourism, protect cultural heritage and the environment, and foster local economic development and long-term sustainability," said Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Resident Coordinator in China.

The Embassy also invited representatives from the major travel agencies to speak on stage. They were full of expectations and confidence and were committed to promote Sri Lanka as a tourism destination of choice.

Mr. Zhong Hui, the Chairman of Fashion Travel, Mrs. Han Chunyan, Manager of the Outbound Department, Zhong He Travel, Mr. Zhou Lei, Manager of the Outbound Department, Beijing Spring Travel Service Co. LTD, Mr. Feng Lei, Chairman of Smile Times Travel Service Co. LTD, Mrs. Gao Ran, General Manager, South East Asia Tourism Department -CAISSA Group, also spoke and said that they will extend their fullest support to bring more Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka when the border restrictions are relaxed.

Mr. Zheng Weihang, the Vice President of the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association, discussed with the Ambassador, the possibility of cruise ships visiting Sri Lanka after the epidemic. The Ambassador was enthusiastic about this notion and said that the Embassy would fully cooperate and assist to facilitate this initiative of the China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association.

UN to join hands with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing to enhance Sri Lanka Tourism and Investments

The UN Resident Coordinator to China Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, met with the Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona on 26 October 2022, at the Embassy, and discussed ways and means of enhancing UN collaboration with Sri Lanka as we strive to realize the SDGs despite the COVID and financial crises. Today, most countries are struggling to avoid sliding backwards.

The Ambassador focused on the post COVID recovery plan of Sri Lanka and emphasized the need to work closely with the UN to benefit from the vast knowhow it possesses in the areas such as agriculture, renewable energy, social infrastructure, education, SMEs, tourism, and disaster management, etc. Referring to the Colombo Declaration on Youth, he highlighted the need to make youth concerns part of the decision-making process. He emphasized the need for enhancing marketable youth skills. The UN Resident Coordinator replied that Sri Lanka as a country where the Literacy Rate stands at more than 92%, needs to pay more attention to technical and vocational education to make youth better prepared to face the challenges of the fast-digitalizing future world.

The Ambassador suggested bringing the UN and Sri Lanka closer to enhance collaboration and thus bringing more tangible benefits to the peoples of Sri Lanka in the post pandemic era.


The Ambassador said that in the pre pandemic era, tourism contributed 12-15% to Sri Lanka’s GDP. He emphasized the importance of reviving tourism as tourism related returns are immediate and its contribution in generating foreign exchange.

In this regard, Mr. Chatterjee proposed to convene a discussion in his office, including, the Embassy, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Mrs. Hanaa Singer, Heads of other UN Agencies, CIDCA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism of Sri Lanka, Chinese Tour Operators, and other public and private stakeholders. The Ambassador endorsed the suggestion to make a strategic plan through this collaborative process to revive Sri Lanka Tourism, especially through wider promotion, investments in infrastructure development and training.

The Head of the Office of the Resident Mr. Joe Colombano, Brigadier Sylvester Perera, Second Secretary Ms. Sanju Dasanayake were also present at the meeting.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing

25 October, 2022

Our warmest felicitations to our Chinese friends on the happy occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China!
🇱🇰🇨🇳

Latest inbound control arrangement for foreign domestic helpers

https://www.beijing.embassy.gov.lk/media-detail/297

Sri Lanka Exporters Introduced to the Giant Online Platform - JD.com
Sri Road Connection Trade Company Ltd, launched the JD-Sri Lanka National Pavilion at JD.com on 26 September 2022 with the assistance of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing.
With the launching of the JD-Sri Lanka National Pavilion, Sri Lanka products, Ceylon Tea, Gemstones, Confectioneries, King Coconut Water, Coconut Milk, Spices, Kithul Products, Rubber Products, and many other Sri Lankan products can be placed on the platform for sale online. Brands like Lions Tea, Maliban, Silvermills, Rala Kithul and Ceylon Tips are already being promoted on the JD-Sri Lanka National Pavilion and few other Sri Lankan brands including, Elephant House, Prima, MD and Edenborough will enter the Chinese market online.
The Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, speaking at the event invited Sri Lankan Exporters to use this opportunity to market their products online in China, the massive E-Commerce market as well as the most lucrative market.
The Chairman of Sri Lanka Tea Board Mr. Niraj De Mel, the Chairman of Coconut Development Authority Mr. Keerthi Weerasinghe, the Acting Director General of Sri Lanka Export Development Board Ms. Malani Baddegamage, and senior representatives of Maliban Biscuits, Silvermills, Prima, Rala Kithul, MD, Edenborough, Lions Tea, and Elephant House, attended online. During their remarks, they highlighted the opportunity that is made available via the JD-Sri Lanka National Pavilion through the assistance of the Sri Lanka Embassy for Sri Lanka exporters to access the Chinese market.
The Vice President of JD.Com, Mr. Ye Wei, welcomed the Sri Lankan exporters to market as many products as possible and assured his fullest support for the success of the JD-Sri Lanka National Pavilion. The JD.Com has 600 million users.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sri Road Connection Trade Company Ltd and President of China -
Sri Lanka Association for Trade and Economic Cooperation (CSLATE) Mr. Chiranjaya Udumullage said that the online pavilion will increase online marketing opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters. He highly appreciated the support extended by the Embassy, EDB, and others.
The launching ceremony was hosted by the Embassy and was attended by the Vice President of JD.com Global Corporate Affairs Mr. Larry Lee, Deputy General Manager of Corporate Public Affairs Mr. Fengyi Gao and other executive representatives from JD.com, Chinese state-owned enterprises, media personnel, and the business community.
The participants were treated with Ceylon Tea, King Coconut water, and Sri Lankan snacks.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing

27 September 2022

Sri Lanka National Pavilion on Douyin (TikTok) to promote Sri Lanka Products in China Launched. Attracts Over One Million Viewers

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing in association with the China – Sri Lanka Association for Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Douyin (Tiktok) Social Media Platform launched the Sri Lanka National Pavilion on 30 August 2022. This event took place during the Embassy promoted celebration of the Kandy Esala Perehera and Sri Lanka culture and food. The Kandy Esala Perehera, with all its glamour and historical glory, was presented to the Chinese audience through Douyin. Now Sri Lankan products can be showcased and marketed on Douyin which has an audience of over 600 million viewers. (2 billion worldwide on Tik Tok).

The New Sri Lanka National Pavilion on Douyin attracted more than one million viewers online immediately, and added more than 27,000 new followers. During the five-hour live broadcast, more than 16,000 Sri Lankan products were purchased online, making it a huge success.

Addressing the selected audience, the Ambassador said that the national pavilion will assist Sri Lanka exporters to showcase and market their products in China while opening up opportunities for Chinese consumers to buy Sri Lankan products. He invited Sri Lankan exporters to grab this opportunity.

The Ambassador, Dr. Palitha Kohona, himself demonstrated the method of preparation of a cup of Ceylon Black Tea, ‘Hong Cha’, and a spicy Sri Lankan Crab dish. Crabs and other sea foods are immensely popular in China.

More than 10 key opinion leaders (KOLs) from Douyin participated, adding additional glamour to the event, which was live streamed. Colombo, Sigiriya, Galle, Matale, Kandy, the Temple of the Tooth Relic and the Perahera, Yala, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura were highlighted on a large map of Sri Lanka. The KOLs and the invitees were guided around the map and were introduced to each city by the Ambassador, who emphasized the trade, investment, and tourism potential of these cities and their cultural background.

The Ambassador waxed eloquent on the historical significance of the Kandy Perahera, focusing on the Chinese Buddhist Monk, Fa’Xian, who visited Sri Lanka in the early 5th Century and wrote of the Esala Perahera in detail. He invited the Chinese people to visit Sri Lanka to see the Kandy Perahera in all its glory.

The invitees were served with a traditional Sri Lankan Dinner including the Ambassador's crab dish.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing

31 August 2022

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona Highlights the Imperative of Feeding 8 Billion Humans While Protecting the Quality of Food We Consume and the Environment

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona addressing the Jilin Green Agriculture Forum highlighted the need for policy makers to take serious note of the harm that industrial agricultural practices have caused the environment and to human health. However, he readily acknowledged the need to feed Eight billion humans in the world today. According to the UN World Food Programme, 836 million go to bed hungry every night. The solution to this challenge is to rely on chemical additives and fossil fuels to the least extent that was scientifically possible in order maintain optimum productivity and human health. The Jilin Province of China has demonstrated that this could indeed be realised. China has eliminated extreme poverty, which means that no one goes hungry.

The Jilin Province is one of the four regions that is recognised for its wealth of black soil which the Government and the farmers protect with minimum chemical contamination.

Dr. Kohona also underlined the need to minimize the use of fossil fuel derivatives in agriculture not only because of its undoubted contribution to global warming and sea level rise but also due to the legal commitments solemnly undertaken by states under the Paris Accords.

Today the food crisis is exacerbated the world over by the impact of the Cover 19 epidemic, the war in Ukraine and the financial crisis affecting many countries. The well-being of our planet and future generations rests on the choices that we make today.

Sri Lanka needs assistance to tide over its current crises, including the shortage of food exacerbated by a shortage foreign exchange to purchase fertilizer and essential food items. However, as a country which was substantially self sufficient in it's staple, rice, it could be expected to return to normalcy once the immediate difficulties are overcome.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
26 August 2022

"Partnership Finder'' to help investors find new business partners

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona Joins the Asian Mountain Tourism Alliance in Calling for Renewed Concerted Effort to Revive Global Tourism.

The Asian Mountain Tourism Alliance held its sixth summit in Guiyang, Guizhou, China, on 17 -18 August 2022 and was graced by a range of high level officials from the central, provincial and city Governments and diplomatic and business representatives. It was interesting how a range of products of the province, especially handicrafts, were highlighted at a very professional display.

Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, in his presentation said that while Sri Lanka lacked snow covered peaks, it possessed perhaps the only high peak in the world sacred to three of the key religions of the world, Sri Paada to Buddhists and Adam's Peak to Christians and Muslims. Thousands climbed the mountain to express their religious fervour and others to experience the fantastic sunrise. He also invited visitors to experience the incomparable sense of freedom and serenity by climbing up the Sri Pada.

Dr. Kohona also invited travellers to savour the soothing beauty, lush greenery, the aroma of fresh tea engulfing the ranges and the gushing revulets and water falls of the tea country of Sri Lanka. The mountainous tea country was attracting increasing numbers of visitors and the bungalows, now converted to boutique hotels, were beginning to fill up.

The Greeks called the island “Serendip”. This word gave rise to the English word serendipity - a pleasant surprise around every corner. In Chinese it is Yuan Feng. Dr. Kohona invited the audience for a yuan feng experience in Sri Lanka.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
19 July 2022

The Sixth Silk Road Forum for International Cooperation - Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona Urges Greater Market Access to Consolidate the Gains of the BRI.

Addressing the Sixth Silk Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Xian, Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, while acknowledging the vast gains made under President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), urged greater market access to products from the BRI region to consolidate the undoubted gains of the BRI. A bevy of high level officials graced the opening ceremony.

The expectation under the BRI is the creation of a region of shared prosperity from which all participating countries will benefit. The BRI, he said, should be a vehicle to eliminate extreme poverty.

Sri Lanka, for its part has reclaimed a vast area from the sea to build a new city which will be called the Colombo Port City. We will invite investors from everywhere to invest in the Colombo Port City. It's priceless location in the middle of the Indian Ocean is incomparable in value. The new harbour, built in the South - Hambantota, is designed to service the East West shipping highway along which 36,000 ships ply every year. Inland, a brand new highway links Colombo to the South and another will link Colombo to Kandy in the centre of the country.

The BRI will make a difference to the countries party to it.

It will contribute to bring prosperity to our people

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
15 August 2022

Chinese students to follow the Master of Finance in Economics (MFE) of the University of Colombo soon

The Sri Lanka Embassy hosted the commencement ceremony, for a batch of Chinese students enrolled for the Master of Financial Economics Programme (MFE) – 2022 at the University of Colombo on 29 July 2022. The first batch comprises of 30 Chinese students. This followed extensive efforts made by the Embassy to encourage Chinese students to study in Sri Lanka. These students will pay the full course fees.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing, China-Asia Economic Development Association of the University of Colombo, Beautiful China Investment Co, and the Tomorrow Technology Education Services Center, collaboratively organized this event.
Speaking at the event, the Ambassador, Dr. Palitha Kohona, who is an alumnus of the University of Colombo, congratulated the students for selecting the MFE Programme of the University and said that Sri Lanka warmly welcomes international students. He said that the Country’s mission is to "delight" the students, industry, employees, and other stakeholders with the country's higher education system and that Sri Lanka will offer Degree programmes to fee paying foreign students.
Sri Lanka has produced a large number of outstanding luminaries, who have contributed to the world in variety of fields such as science, law, ICT, biology, etc, and now work in institutions such as the NASA, the United Nations, the Boeing, Google, etc.
The Ambassador encouraged more and more Chinese students to study in Sri Lanka. At the same time, he invited the family members of the students to visit Sri Lanka as tourists, and enjoy the beauty and the hospitality of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Wang Kejian, President of the International Academic Exchange Committee of China-Asian economic development Association (CADEA), requested the students to take full advantage of this opportunity to acquire knowledge, act as a bridge and as cultural messengers between China and Sri Lanka, and write a new chapter in the friendship between the two countries. He further said that the Beautiful China Investment Co, together with the Tomorrow Technology Education Services Center, will send more Chinese students to study in Sri Lanka. The event was attended by more than 80 participants including from the media, and ended with a reception including Ceylon Tea, Thembili water and biscuits.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
29 July 2022

Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena took oath as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka today, 22.07.2022, before H.E. the President.

H.E. Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as the 8th Executive President of Sri Lanka yesterday, 21.07.2022.