On December 5th, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong led a delegation to University of Ruhuna to award "Chinese Ambassador Scholarships" to the students. Over 100 people attended the ceremony, including Ms. Ji Lili Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Snr. Prof. Rathnayaka Competent Authority of University of Ruhuna, Ms. Ratnasekera Sri Lankan Director and Mr. Zhang Changsheng Chinese Director of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research, Miss Nanayakkara student representative who studied in China, scholarship recipients, and deans from faculties.

Ambassador Qi stated that educational exchanges and cooperation are an essential part of the friendly exchanges between the two peoples. He hoped that the "Chinese Ambassador's Scholarship" would be helpful to the students' studies and wished them academic success, so that they could create a better future for themselves, for their country, and make greater contributions to the enduring friendship between China and Sri Lanka.

Rathnayaka stated that the friendship between Sri Lanka and China has a long history, and the relationship has deepened continuously since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their assistance to Sri Lanka and thanked the "Ambassador's Scholarship" for providing a valuable opportunity for students, which would help them excel academically, realize their personal value, and contribute to the prosperous development of Sri Lanka.

Nanayakkara, who received the Chinese Government's "Belt and Road" Scholarship in 2019 and pursued a master's degree at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and returned to teach at the University of Ruhuna after completing her studies. She fondly recalled her wonderful study life in China and the help she received from her Chinese teachers, classmates, and friends. She believed that China is the best country to study in and thanked the Chinese government for giving her this valuable opportunity. She encouraged students to take the scholarship award as a new starting point, continue to work hard, and make continuous progress.

After the award ceremony, Ambassador Qi and his delegation, accompanied by Rathnayaka, visited the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research located on the campus of the University of Ruhuna.

The event was widely reported by local media.