Sri Lanka has sought a debt facility of US$ 2.5 billion from China in a measure to overcome the prevailing economic crisis befallen it. This has been confirmed by the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka.
The debt facility is sought in two portions of US$ 01 billion and US$ 1.5 billion.
Speaking to media in Colombo today (21), Chinese Ambassador Qi stated that the Chinese government is considering the request made by its Sri Lankan counterpart. The debt facility sought by Sri Lanka may likely to be approved by the Chinese government, he added.
The Chinese government will extend its fullest support to Sri Lanka in overcoming the current crisis and will never take advantage of the situation, the Chinese Ambassador emphasised, recalling the island nation’s assistance provided during the serious crises faced by China nearly 70 years ago and adding that it will never be forgotten for the two states are and always will be close friends.
Since 2020, China has provided a total debt of US$ 2.8 billion. Ambassador Qi went on saying that the projects undertaken in the island have generated more than 11,000 job opportunities.
The Chinese Ambassador went on saying that about US$ 1.05 billion has been invested in the Colombo Port City currently operational and in addition 43 companies have expressed their interest in investing in the proposed Hambantota Industrial Zone, leading to another huge generation of job opportunities.
MIAP
