On the morning of 8 December, the Chinese Government’s emergency humanitarian flood-relief supplies arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka. H.E. Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, Hon. Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilake, and Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera attended the handover ceremony. Counsellor Tang Yandi was also present.

Hon. Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation expressed sincere gratitude for China’s timely and generous assistance, noting that the supplies delivered today are exactly what Sri Lanka urgently needs. He stressed that China has always extended a helping hand to Sri Lanka at every difficult moment in history. In the face of the current disaster, the Chinese Government, Chinese enterprises and Chinese people in Sri Lanka have provided significant support. He thanked the Chinese Government and people for their selfless assistance and reaffirmed his hope that the friendship between Sri Lanka and China will endure.

Qi Zhenhong stated that, in the face of this severe natural disaster, all relevant Chinese departments acted swiftly to extend a helping hand to Sri Lankan friends. The supplies that arrived today — including tents, bed sheets, life jackets, and blankets — form part of the Chinese Government’s humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka.In addition, the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Sri Lanka has donated 19.5 million rupees. CHEC Port City Colombo has actively taken part in urgent local bridge repairs and road clearance efforts. Huawei promptly deployed more than 80 engineers to the front line to restore telecommunications networks.Chinese community organizations in Sri Lanka, such as the Overseas Chinese Association and the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, have raised over 10 million rupees in donations. Many overseas Chinese volunteers have also joined rescue efforts, working in shelters and distribution centers.China’s all-round support in helping the Sri Lankan brothers and sisters overcome the floods once again demonstrates that China is a trustworthy and reliable good friend and true friend of Sri Lanka. China will, as always, continue to assist Sri Lanka within its capacity, work together to overcome the difficulties, and jointly build a China–Sri Lanka community with a shared future.

The event saw a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere, with extensive coverage by numerous Chinese and Sri Lankan media outlets.