On January 13, H.E. Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka went to the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) to welcome the arrival of the China-aided school uniform  materials for 2026. Counsellor Tang Yandi, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa and other senior officials were also present at the event.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya, on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of China for their continued generous assistance. She noted that China is a trustworthy and reliable good friend of Sri Lanka, always extending a helping hand in times of difficulty. The arrival of the school uniform fabric once again demonstrates the profound friendship between the two countries.She emphasized that the donation of 11.48 million meters of school uniform fabric by China will benefit 4.4 million students across the island, including students in remote areas and novice monks. The donation helps the Sri Lankan Government fulfill its commitment to education equity and ensures that all Sri Lankan students, regardless of their socio-economic background, can receive education with dignity.

Secretary Kaluwewe once again expressed sincere appreciation for China’s assistance and voiced the hope that the two countries would continue to work hand in hand to safeguard the well-being of Sri Lankan children and jointly build a brighter future for education.

H.E. Ambassador Qi Zhenhong stated that China-aid School Uniform Material Project has been implemented continuously for four years since 2023 and has received high recognition and widespread acclaim from all sectors of Sri Lankan society. He expressed appreciation to the relevant Sri Lankan departments and personnel for their dedicated efforts. He expressed the hope that the children would grow up not only to become pillars of Sri Lanka’s national rejuvenation, but also a new generation of ambassadors for China–Sri Lanka friendship. He added that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka, like the interwoven warp and weft of these fabrics, will remain closely bound and unbreakable.

The event was held in a warm and enthusiastic atmosphere and was widely covered by Sri Lankan and Chinese media, including the Daily News, Daily Mirror, Newswire, the Morning, Newsfirst, as well as Xinhua News Agency, Legal Daily, and Phoenix TV.