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Premier Rajapaksa explains why China is such a good friend
China had never sought to impose its own political views on the world, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Tuesday (6) addressing a virtual conference conducted to mark the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
China has also never felt the need to manipulate the affairs of other countries and it had always helped the other countries, treating them as equals, Rajapaksa said.
“This is especially important for a country’s independence as well as its sovereignty. Therefore, countries never hesitated to deal with China, because they are allowed to maintain their independence. It is the same for Sri Lanka. That is why most doors of the world were opened to China. This policy is very important for the progress of China, internationally. It has now become clear that China will lead the rise of Asia in the century ahead,” he said.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa said that no one in the Global South was interested in dividing the world into two camps and that China had done a historic service to relieve the suffering of Asian and African countries.
“It was China that helped the world, which was facing difficulties due to the division of the world into two camps. At that time, Zhou Enlai brought the idea of non-aligned nations to the world, for world relief. That non-aligned policy is still a relief to the world today,” he said.
The Premier also said that the Belt and Road Initiative was not something alien to Sri Lanka, which was a part of the ancient Silk Road connecting China with Europe.
Given below are excerpts of the speech: “I wish to express my warmest felicitations together with the people of my country on the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of the Communist Party of China.
“The honour of this historical relationship China has had with us is also included in this felicitation.
China has been a historical friend. And, based on our long-standing cooperation, we must acknowledge that China is one of our most sincere friends.
“To celebrate both the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China as well as the
long-standing diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka, we have taken steps to issue a
commemorative coin. It has now been 72 years since the CPC converted China into a Red China.
“Sri Lanka established Diplomatic Relations with the Chinese Government back in 1957. However, the leftist parties of our country have had relations with the CPC even before that. The Communist Party of Sri Lanka, in particular, has had relations with the Communist Party of China since the 1940s. I am pleased to say that we have been able to maintain good relations with the CPC because Sri Lankans also value equality and brotherhood.
“The Communist Party of China is currently the world’s largest political party, which has delivered a very important message to the world on foreign relations for the past 70 years. I am aware that it was the foreign policy positions of the CPC that elevated China on the global stage. However, China has never tried to impose its own political views on the world.
“China has also never felt the need to manipulate the affairs of other countries. China has helped
the other countries, keeping them at the same level, which is a very important matter for a country’s independence as well as its sovereignty. Therefore, countries never hesitated to deal with China, because they were allowed to maintain their independence. It is the same for Sri Lanka. That is why most doors of the world were opened to China. This policy is very important for the progress of China, internationally. It has now become clear that China will lead the rise of
Asia in the century ahead.
“The open economy has spread throughout the world, changing the very structure of many countries. “However, China accepted the open economy in a way that was suitable to China. Therefore, China did not accept the open economy as something that divides the country into classes and weakens the country. Instead, China has successfully eradicated poverty of 900 million people under its open economic policy and set a great example to the world by the way it adopted the open economy. I am confident that, China will bring back the economic strength that Asia had five hundred years ago through this Silk Road.
“China always believed that improving infrastructure will provide new ways and new strengths for the people. Therefore, we have constantly invited China to help develop the infrastructure of our country. China has also pledged to become a carbon neutral country by 2060. Therefore, countries on the Silk Road, which make use of the investments from China, will also have to work with a similar objective, not only to make countries carbon neutral but also for countries around the Indian Ocean to be free of pollution.
“I must also express my gratitude to China for the development and generous donations of the Sinopharm vaccine. The CPC set an example to the world by producing the vaccine and sharing it with the world. The motto of the World Health Organisation in the face of this epidemic was that everyone should be vaccinated, whether rich or poor. In this context, it is further admirable that China has given approval for the production of the Sinopharm vaccine in countries like ours. During a global pandemic such as this, decisions initiated by the CPC will be respected as those taken for the benefit of humanity.”
Latest News
PNB detect large haul of methamphetamine and heroin in local fishing trawler intercepted by Navy
Acting on credible information, the Sri Lanka Navy launched a special operation on the high seas on 11 Apr 25, resulting in the apprehension of 06 suspects along with a local multi-day fishing trawler, believed to be involved in smuggling of narcotics.
Subsequently, the intercepted trawler was brought to the Dikkowita Harbour, where a thorough inspection was carried out with the assistance of the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) experts, leading to the detection of approximately 77kg and 484g of heroin and 42kg and 334g of methamphetamine (Ice).
The consignment, which had been meticulously hidden in the trawler, was handed over to the PNB for onward legal action on 12 Apr.
News
Government to initiate new projects to help rural communities to strengthen the national economy – Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government is currently working to initiate new projects across every area of Sri Lanka and to bring the necessary investments to rural areas in order to improve the participation of the communities in strengthening the national economy.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held on Saturday (12th) in Nanattan, Mannar.
Prime Minister further stated:
“Our country has reached a decisive point. The government of the National People’s Power (NPP) understands the expectations of the people. The general public came together despite the ethnic and religious barriers to exercise their voting right against corruption in politics that existed in this country. Consequently, Anura Kumara Dissanayake was able to become the President in 2024. A month later, we formed a Parliament that will initiate in changing the history. Today, we have a government made up of 159 members. There is now a strong group in Parliament standing against corruption and a government that represents all ethnicities, religions, and regions. For the first time in history, we have formed a government made by a single party that represents everyone. The people are the ones who made this victory possible and they are the true victors in this cause.
We are committed to protecting the trust the people have placed in us and to fulfill their expectations.
You are well aware of how weak the economy was when we came to power. Officially, we had been declared a bankrupt nation before the world. For many years, Sri Lanka had no economic growth and was in a debt-ridden economy. The tourism sector had collapsed. Due to the corruption in political authority, investors were unwilling to invest the country. Today, we have changed all that. We have managed to steer the economy towards growth leading to investments being restored while the confidence in Sri Lanka is increasing internationally.
We are working to start new projects in every area of Sri Lanka to bring the necessary investments to the rural sector, with the aim of improving the participation of rural communities in the national economy.
The first budget of the NPP government has passed. Even though the economy is not yet strong, we focused on two main priorities in the budget: one was to develop infrastructure necessary for economic growth, and the other was to provide relief to people burdened by economic hardships. That’s why we have increased and extended the period of Aswesuma benefits. Further, vouchers to buy schoolbooks was distributed at schools with less than 300 students.
Previous governments were a burden to the people. But today, we have a very small Cabinet of Ministers. The government is no longer a burden to the people. We have reduced expenses, minimized losses, and eliminated corruption.
Because the government is not a burden to the people, it was able to provide relief to the people. Through this budget, the basic salaries of the public service has been increased. They have been given the opportunity to work freely. Decisions are now made on statistical data and not based on political preferences. What we expect is an independent public service. We are in need of a people-centered government as well as a public service which should be an efficient, corruption-free and people-sensitive. We have already created the necessary environment for that.
In order to develop the rural economy, the government has allocated a large amount of funding through this year’s budget. But, to ensure that these allocations are used properly to serve the people, the local government institutions need to be cleaned up. If the leaders who represents the villages are corrupt, the funds allocated will become worthless. That is why the upcoming local government elections has become extremely significant and decisive.”
The event was attended by the Members of Parliament Jegadeeswaran and S .Thilakanadan, public representatives, and candidates of local government election representing the NPP.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman launched a fierce critique of the political hypocrisy surrounding the Batalanda Commission report during Thursday’s (10) parliamentary session.
Rahuman pointed to the violent actions of the JVP, which had devastating effects on politicians, police officers, and civilians, as detailed in the Commission’s final report.
He said that the violence had disrupted vital services and created a state of lawlessness, severely affecting the public.
The MP accused political opponents of exploiting the Batalanda issue for electoral advantage, noting that for 36 years, no proposals were made to investigate the assassination of JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera.
He criticized the JVP for forming “probationary” governments with Chandrika Kumaratunga and backing Ranil Wickremesinghe in the yahapalana effort, yet failing to address the Batalanda issue during their tenures.
Rahuman also questioned the current attacks on Wickremesinghe, highlighting that many of his critics had previously collaborated with him. He called attention to the JVP’s statements regarding Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s alleged involvement in a Matale mass grave and the distribution of pamphlets on the subject during the 2022 Galle Face protests.
The MP called for accountability, questioning why no proposals were put forward on these issues when the current government came into power. He also criticized the NPP for its leaders, who, despite being involved in suppressions during the 80s and 90s, now sought positions within the government. Rahuman accused them of hypocrisy, warning against dragging the Batalanda issue into the ongoing election.Rahuman said that the historical wrongs committed by JVP political leaders cannot be erased, regardless of attempts to downplay them.
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