Ambassador Qi Zhenhong Attends the Commissioning Ceremony of the Court of Appeal Building of the China-aid Comprehensive Refurbishment Project of Sri Lanka Superior Courts Complex
2025-01-18 17:00

On January 18, the Commissioning Ceremony of the Court of Appeal Building, completed under the China-aid Comprehensive Refurbishment Project of Sri Lanka Superior Courts Complex, was held in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Ambassador Qi Zhenhong of China and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Amarasuriya jointly attended and delivered remarks. Counselor Tang Yandi, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, as well as several judges from the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, were also present at the ceremony.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Amarasuriya stated that history has consistently proven the enduring strength of the China-Sri Lanka friendship. She emphasized that the Superior Courts Complex is a precious gift from the Chinese government to the people of Sri Lanka, making an outstanding contribution to the country's judicial system. She expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for the generous assistance and selfless support, which have brought fairness and justice to the Sri Lankan people.

Ambassador Qi noted that China had assisted in the construction of the Superior Courts Complex in 1989 and had subsequently undertaken two rounds of gratuitous renovations. The building has become a landmark in Sri Lanka and a lasting symbol of China-Sri Lanka friendship. Ambassador Qi said he was honored to witness the entire process of this comprehensive refurbishment project.

Ambassador Qi emphasized that during the recently concluded state visit of the Sri Lankan President to China, the two sides had in-depth exchanges of views and reached extensive common understandings on deepening traditional friendship and advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and multi-sectoral practical cooperation between China and Sri Lanka, and on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The two sides share the view that China and Sri Lanka have consistently respected each other, treated each other as equals and stood by each other over the 68 years of diplomatic ties, and set a fine example of friendly interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. The two sides agreed to carry forward the spirit of independence, self-reliance, solidarity and mutual assistance enshrined in the Rubber-Rice Pact, follow the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual support, win-win cooperation and common development, stay committed to deepening the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, to bring greater benefits to the two countries and peoples.