By: Staff Writer

November 02, Colombo (LNW): China has significantly ramped up its humanitarian support and public sector training programs for Sri Lanka this year, particularly following the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Chinese government recently announced a major contribution of emergency aid valued at Rs. 400 million to support Sri Lanka, with further aid and training initiatives aimed at assisting the nation’s recovery efforts and long-term resilience.

On October 30, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo confirmed this new round of aid, which comes alongside Rs. 30 million in cash previously provided to assist flood relief.

 Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong also met with President Dissanayake in October, during which he presented this emergency flood relief donation.

Concurrently, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya discussed with Ambassador Qi ways to enhance bilateral cooperation for both immediate relief and future flood management.

This recent aid complements China’s July 2024 humanitarian package, which includes Rs. 1.5 billion in prefabricated housing, fishing equipment, and rice for fisherfolk in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

This comprehensive assistance package, worth Rs. 500 million for each region, represents China’s largest single investment in these provinces, where neighboring India has also played a significant role in development.

In November 2023, China provided kerosene to 27,000 fishing boats across Sri Lanka, with each boat receiving 150 liters to alleviate economic challenges faced by fisherfolk in the aftermath of last year’s financial crisis.

China has previously provided substantial assistance, amounting to 500 million yuan in humanitarian aid in 2022 to support Sri Lanka through the economic crisis.

China is also Sri Lanka’s primary partner for public sector training programs, a commitment highlighted by Sri Lanka’s Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana at the first China Aid Training Alumni Reception.

Siriwardana noted that China has trained over 8,000 Sri Lankan public sector employees across sectors such as health, education, and construction, with nearly 1,000 annual training opportunities now offered to Sri Lanka. India has also expanded its training support for Sri Lankan professionals in judiciary, media, and law enforcement.

Ambassador Qi explained that China’s approach to foreign aid training emphasizes sharing, consultation, and mutual development, allowing countries to exchange governance experience and benefit from China’s modernization insights.

Over 13,000 Sri Lankan professionals have participated in training programs in China, with sessions covering public administration, technology, economic policy, agriculture, and disaster management.

As part of its commitment to global development, China plans to enhance its training programs to meet the priorities of Sri Lanka’s new government.

These programs are expected to provide ongoing support in areas like environmental resilience, agriculture, and public health, fostering deeper cooperation with Sri Lanka and other developing nations within the Global South.