Sri Lanka expects relations with China to reach new level

Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening its relations with China when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe undertakes an official visit to China next week, a statement released by his office said here on Sunday.

Wickremesinghe will be leaving for a state visit to China on April 6 and this is his first visit to China as the prime minister of Sri Lanka, since the government of President Maithripala Sirisena was formed in January last year.

The statement said that high-level discussions to be held during the visit are expected to advance the relations between the two countries to a new level.

"Undertaken with a view of strengthening the relations between China and Sri Lanka, this visit is expected to promote co-operation mechanisms between the two countries in the spheres of economic affairs, investment and technology," the statement said.

"It is also expected to bolster cooperation in science, sports, tourism development, financial services and water resources management along with initiation of mobile clinics for kidney patients."

Wickremesinghe's delegation will include Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Development Strategies & International Trade Malik Samarawickrema and Minister of Special Assignments Sarath Amunugama.

Source: XINHUA