Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA) with the financial assistance from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka donated Public Address Systems, Chairs and Desk Top Computers with Printers to 20 needy Dhamma Schools in Sri Lanka under the patronage of Most Ven.Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thero – Chief Priest of Kotte Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaya and Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura on 19th January 2019 at the Lakshman Kadiragamar Center for International Relations.

Mr.Sumathi Dharmawardena, Attorney at Law, President Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association made the welcome speech and stated that SLCBFA with assistance of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka and Buddhist Association of China had installed three water purifications in Gomaranakadawala, Trincomalee District, Rambewa, Anuradhapura District and Suriyawewa in Hambantota District to assist villagers to over chronic kidney disease. The fourth Project will be implemented in Galgamuwa in Kurunegala District.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Liu Dong Head of Cultural Affairs representing the Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Liu Dong mentioned that Sri Lanka and China has maintained an excellent relationship and Buddhist friendship has developed from the time famous Buddhist Monk Fa-Shien lived in Abhaygiriya Monastery 1600 years back. Further, he paid compliments to Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association for taking steps to assist needy Dhamma Schools in Sri Lanka. Mr. Liu Dong mentioned that H.E. Maithripala Sirisena has taken steps to declare the Buddhist sacred Canon Thripitakaya as national heritage is a very important step to Buddhists.
Dr. Praneeth Abhayasundera the Patron of SLCBFA addressing the gathering stated that recent excavations in Mannar have found Chinese coins which is vital evidence to the historical relationship that existed between China and Sri Lanka in Buddhist, political, economic and cultural relations over 1600 years.
Most Ven.Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thero – Chief Priest of Kotte Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaya delivering the Anushashanawa said China has been a great friend in the past, in the present and confident that China will be in the future. Mahanayake thero praised the project to uplift Dhamma education in Sri Lanka by started by SLCBFA as a very meritorious deed to develop the future generation of Sri Lanka. Further requested Embassy of China in Sri Lanka to render assistance in the future for these projects.
Members of Dhamma Schools from Ampara, Welioya, Morawaka, Galle, Hambantota, Mathale, Balangoda, Ratnapura were donated needy items. Financial donations were made to construct a Dhamma School in Kalukanodayawe.
Mr.Indrananda Abeysekera President Sri Lanka-China Socio Cultural Cooperation Organization and Mr Sumana Liyanage vice President Sri Lanka