Leaders of major Sri Lankan political parties and Cabinet Ministers have attended a virtual conference to mark the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
During the conference hosted by the Communist Party of Sri Lanka on Tuesday, Prime Minister and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa made a speech to commemorate the CPC centenary.
“We appreciate the commitments made by the Chinese Government for our independence during and after the war, forever,” Rajapaksa said.
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| Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the virtual conference marking the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. |
Quoting a Sinhala classic to describe Sri Lanka-China friendship, the Prime Minister said, “The friend will always be there, both in sorrow and pleasure. Like the murals on a wall, they never look away.”
Former President and Sri Lanka Freedom Party Leader Maithripala Sirisena said that Sri Lankans are proud of their historic collaboration with China.
Former Prime Minister and United National Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the CPC has led China to become one of the largest economies in the world.
Communist Party of Sri Lanka veteran and former General Secretary Dew Gunasekara said the CPC had contributed to the rise of Asia, especially regarding the fight against extreme poverty and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Tissa Vitarana, Lanka Sama Samaja Party General Secretary and Leader, which is the oldest political party and first Socialist party in Sri Lanka, said the party wishes to strengthen bonds with the CPC.
“The CPC always stood on the people’s side and served the people in China to become a powerful nation,” said Sri Lanka Mahajana Party (People’s Party) General Secretary Asanka Nawaratne. From the Chinese side, Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, also spoke at the event.
Up to 11 political parties, including the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and its allies, jointly issued a statement at the conference praising the CPC’s domestic and international accomplishments.
Noting that the CPC remains a steadfast champion for developing countries, the statement said the Belt and Road Initiative help such countries improve their infrastructure and production while respecting sovereignty.
It also called for “bolstering mutual support, practical cooperation, and promoting progress and peace” between the CPC and Sri Lankan political parties. (XINHUA)
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