President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on his four-day state visit to China, held discussions yesterday (17) with Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the Communist Party of China for Sichuan Province.

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is celebrated as one of the happiest cities in China, blending cultural heritage with modern development to provide residents with a high quality of life.

The discussions focused on enhancing economic, trade, cultural, tourism, and intergovernmental relations between Sichuan and Sri Lanka. President Dissanayake recognized Sichuan’s achievements in various sectors, particularly energy, and extended an invitation for the province to share its expertise and success stories with Sri Lanka.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s path to economic stabilization under a transparent and investor-friendly administration, the President noted that the current government, backed by a two-thirds majority, is committed to fulfilling the expectations of a united populace. He emphasized that this political stability creates an ideal environment for strengthened bilateral collaboration.

The President also underscored Sri Lanka’s appeal as a tourist destination and warmly invited the people of Sichuan to experience the country’s renowned hospitality.

Joining the discussions were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, as well as Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake.

The meeting served as a platform to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation, fostering mutual growth and understanding between Sri Lanka and Sichuan Province.

Sri Lanka and China have reinforced their long-standing relationship through an extensive agreement to deepen their traditional friendship and enhance high-quality collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The two nations also emphasized their commitment to mutual cooperation across various sectors and addressed key regional and international concerns.

China reaffirmed its unwavering support for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. It also expressed its respect for Sri Lanka’s right to independently determine its development path in alignment with its unique national circumstances. The joint statement, issued during Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to China, emphasized China’s adherence to an independent foreign policy of peace.

In turn, Sri Lanka reiterated its dedication to a non-aligned foreign policy and extended its backing for China’s efforts toward national reunification. The Sri Lankan government firmly opposed “Taiwan independence” in any form and pledged that its territory would not be used for any anti-China or separatist activities. Furthermore, Sri Lanka reaffirmed its support for China’s positions on issues related to Xizang (Tibet) and Xinjiang.

The two countries agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation based on mutual trust and benefit. This collaboration will span areas such as marine conservation, disaster relief, maritime personnel training, and environmental restoration. Both sides expressed interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Ocean Cooperation to advance a “Blue Partnership” that promotes a shared maritime future.

In the field of education, China committed to encouraging Sri Lankan students to pursue higher studies in Chinese institutions, with continued support through government scholarships. Sri Lanka expressed gratitude for China’s contributions, including assistance with the digital classroom project, and pledged to enhance teacher, student, and researcher exchanges.

Additionally, both countries will continue to develop the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, fostering deeper collaboration in science, technology, and research.

Judicial, law enforcement, and security cooperation were also identified as critical aspects of the bilateral relationship. Both nations pledged to work together to combat cross-border crimes, including online gambling and telecom fraud. China also offered support for enhancing Sri Lanka’s judicial and law enforcement capacities by providing training and resources.

During the visit, several cooperation agreements were signed, covering agriculture, tourism, livelihood support, media, and other areas. Both governments underscored the importance of these agreements in strengthening their partnership and enhancing the well-being of their citizens.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their warm hospitality during the visit. He extended an invitation to Chinese leaders to visit Sri Lanka, which was warmly received. Both sides agreed to maintain diplomatic communication to foster continued collaboration.

This state visit has further solidified the foundation for Sri Lanka and China’s relationship, ensuring ongoing cooperation and mutual benefit across diverse sectors in the years to come.

The determined residents have thwarted the resumed efforts of excavation of mineral sand in Mullaitivu, in a major resistance to exploitation of resources in war-affected Vanni District of Sri Lanka.

A project by the Indian-linked Midwest Heavy Sands that was granted licenses by the previous administration came under public protests on December 13, forcing officials and company representatives to flee the area without being able to carry out their survey.

This incident underscores the growing resistance from communities in Sri Lanka’s war-affected Vanni District to exploitative resource extraction projects.

The determined opposition in Mullaitivu, led by residents and local leaders like TNA MP Thurairasa Raviharan, reflects a broader demand for sustainable development and public participation in decision-making.

The protests highlight the importance of involving local communities in decisions about resource use, especially in areas still recovering from the war. Residents are calling for public consultation and transparency, rejecting top-down, exploitative projects that threaten the environment and livelihoods.

: The devastation caused by previous mining projects, such as in Kokkilai, serves as a stark reminder of the long-term environmental and social consequences of poorly managed resource extraction. This history fuels mistrust of new ventures.

The continuation of projects approved by previous administrations, like Midwest Heavy Sands, demonstrates the challenges in reversing harmful policies. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government faces the task of aligning current policies with the NPP’s manifesto promises of sustainability and public involvement.

: This resistance signifies the rising awareness among marginalized communities about their rights and the need for sustainable resource management. It also sends a strong message to foreign investors and governments about the risks of ignoring local voices.

: Raviharan’s demand for addressing past destruction in Kokkilai emphasizes the need for accountability. Restoring damaged lands and compensating affected communities could be a precondition for future projects to gain local acceptance.

This episode also reflects a potential shift in governance under Dissanayake’s administration, where public opposition and demands for accountability could shape a more sustainable and equitable approach to resource management.

The government’s next steps, particularly in addressing past grievances and ensuring participatory decision-making, will be critical in rebuilding trust with the people of Mullaitivu and beyond.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has officially launched the Digital Payments Promotion Campaign 2025, themed “Shaping the Future through Digital Transactions”, to accelerate the adoption of digital payments across the country.

The campaign was inaugurated by CBSL Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on January 9 at the Magam Ruhunupura Administrative Complex in Hambantota. Organized with the support of Hambantota District Secretary Bimal Indrajith De Silva, financial institutions, and telecommunication service providers, the event witnessed significant participation from public officials, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and the general public.

In his keynote address, Governor Weerasinghe stressed the transformative potential of digital payments in fostering economic development and improving the quality of life for all citizens. He called for greater collaboration among government institutions, businesses, and financial institutions to popularize digital payment methods.

Hambantota District Secretary Bimal Indrajith De Silva emphasized the necessity for financial institutions to simplify technological processes to ensure accessibility for all segments of society.

CBSL Deputy Governor J. P. R. Karunaratne announced that similar awareness campaigns would be held island-wide, particularly targeting remote areas to enhance financial inclusion and allow all citizens to benefit from digital payment systems.

The event featured active participation from banks, finance companies, e-money service providers, and mobile payment application providers. Attendees were guided on how to use mobile phones for digital transactions through the LANKAQR payment method, known for its speed, safety, affordability, and user-friendliness. Vendors at the venue also showcased the convenience of accepting digital payments for daily transactions.

This campaign marks the first in a series of initiatives by CBSL to promote digitalization, aligning with the Government’s broader strategy to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth through modern financial technologies.