On October 22, H.E. Ambassador Wei Huaxiang paid a call on the family members of Hon. R.G. Senanayake, former Minister of Trade and Commerce, who signed the Rubber-Rice Pact in 1952 with China. Mrs. Surani, daughter-in-law of Hon. R.G. Senanayake, warmly welcomed the Ambassador on behalf of three generations of the family.

Ambassador Wei extended his best wishes to the family and looked through precious historical photographs and reminiscing about the longstanding friendship between China and Sri Lanka. He noted that China and Sri Lanka overcame numerous obstacles to sign the Rubber-Rice Pact, opening the door to friendly exchanges between the two countries and ushering in a new chapter in bilateral relations. The Pact has since become a celebrated story in the history of China-Sri Lanka friendship. The spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact is a valuable historical legacy of the two countries’ commitment to overcoming external interference and providing sincere mutual support. Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact. We should continue to vigorously carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact and further promote the China-Sri Lanka friendship nurtured by generations.

Mrs. Surani said that the Senanayake family took great pride in having played a part in the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact and in advancing Sri Lanka-China friendship. She expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for never forgetting the family and voiced her willingness to maintain close contact with the Chinese Embassy and continue the longstanding friendship between the two countries for generations to come.