Sri Lanka looks forward to strengthen relations with China.

Appreciating the understanding and support extended by China during the country's sustained effort to eradicate terrorism, External Affairs Minister Prof. GL Peiris said yesterday that Sri Lanka is now looking forward to strengthen and expand the relationship with China in response to the. economic challenges faced by the country.


External Affairs Minister, who is visiting China on an invitation from Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, delivered these remarks while addressing the Institute of International Studies in Shanghai Tuesday.
Minister Peiris briefed the audience, consisting of university teachers, leading professionals, diplomats, government officials and prominent members of civil society about the steps taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to set up a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission in the post-conflict situation and to relax. emergency regulations to return the country to normalcy.
Explaining the government's accelerated economic development plans, Minister Peiris suggested the audience to take advantage of the Sri Lanka's durable peace combined with a unique degree of political stability in Sri Lanka to further the relationship between the two countries.
At the conclusion of his lecture, the Chairman of the Institute invited Professor Peiris to accept the position of Honorary Fellow of the Institute.