China has pledged strong support for Sri Lanka’s stalled development efforts, with the full resumption of Section I of the Central Expressway Project officially launched yesterday.
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said the restart was a milestone in the longstanding friendship between the two nations, noting that Chinese authorities and enterprises had worked closely with Sri Lankan counterparts to overcome difficulties and revive the project. He described the expressway as a key national infrastructure initiative and a landmark of bilateral cooperation.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking at the ceremony, said that during his state visit to China in January he personally requested President Xi Jinping’s assistance to recommence suspended Chinese-funded projects. “He paid special attention to this matter and agreed to provide the necessary support to recommence all such projects, for which we are deeply grateful,” the President said.
He further revealed that Sri Lanka sought a special concessional loan for this expressway section. While unavailable in US dollars, China agreed to extend the facility in yuan. “Accordingly, the Export-Import Bank of China expressed its willingness to provide the loan at an interest rate of between 2.5% and 3.5%. We extend our sincere gratitude for this support,” President Dissanayake added.
Both sides expressed confidence that the Central Expressway will not only boost connectivity and economic development but also stand as a new symbol of China-Sri Lanka friendship. (Newswire)
Full Speech by Chinese Ambassador
Your Excellency President Dissanayake,
Honorable Ministers and Members of Parliament,
Distinguished Guests, Colleagues, and Project Builders,
Good morning to you all!Today, we gather to witness the exciting moment of the full resumption of Section I of the Central Expressway Project. On behalf of the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the full resumption of the project, and express my heartfelt appreciation to all those who have long been working tirelessly on the front lines to advance the project.
In the past few years, due to well-known reasons,Section I of the Central Expressway Project was once forced to proceed with reduced efficiency.Fortunately, with the election of President AK Dissanayake, Sri Lanka has entered a new er with renewed vitality, and the project has now embraced a major turning point with its full resumption. Chinese authorities and enterprises, bearing in mind the long-standing friendship between China and Sri Lanka and their firm support for the new Sri Lankan government, have overcome numerous difficulties and worked hand in hand with the Sri Lankan side to actively push forward the full resumption of the project. It is indeed a truly commendable achievement.
The Central Expressway Project is a major infrastructure construction project in Sri Lanka, a top-priority initiative highly valued by the new Sri Lankan government, a key project for the country to overcome difficulties and achieve national revitalization, and a new landmark of the enduring friendship between the peoples of China and Sri Lanka.I sincerely hope — and firmly believe — that all relevant parties from both countries will continue to work together in the spirit of sincerity and pragmatic cooperation, join hands to steadily advance the construction process, ensure its timely and high-quality completion, and deliver tangible benefits to the people of Sri Lanka at an early date.
Thank you all!