Address by Political Counsellor Madam Pang Chunxue on the Donation Ceremony of Needy Items to Dhamma Schools.

(3PM on 11th November 2016)

Most Ven. Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Mahanayake Thero of Kotte Chapter,,

Mr. Sumathi Dharmawardena, President of Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association,

Venerable Theros,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon!

It is my great pleasure to attend the donation ceremony to provide chairs and PA system to 11 Dhamma schools across Sri Lanka with the help of Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association.

Since the establishment of Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association in August 2015, under the leadership of Mr. Sumathi Dharmawardena, the Association has made a great effort to promote Buddhist exchanges between our two countries and consolidate the time-tested friendship between our two peoples. This year, through the Association the Embassy financed to build a toilet block for Iswnbessagala Rajamaha Viharaya in Anuradhapura and an accommodation block for Divurumgala Rajamaha Viharaya in Trincomalee. I would like to avail of this occasion to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Association and everyone for their commitment and dedication to promote the Buddhist friendship between our two countries.

China and Sri Lanka are neighbors of long-lasting amity. The Buddhist exchange between our two countries goes back to ancient times. Chinese famous Monk Faxian ever stayed in Sri Lanka for two years and studied Dhama in Abhayagiri Vihara. When he went back to China, he brought with him a number of Buddhist Classics. His journey is described in his important travelogue, A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms, in which he noted down the local customs and practices and Buddhist development in Sri Lanka. Ever since then, our two countries have enjoyed very good Buddhist relations. Exchange visits among Buddhist communities are very frequent. Most Ven. Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Mahanayake Thero just paid a very successful visit to China in September this year. Hon. Minister Rajapakshe participated in Chongsheng Forum in Yunnan and delivered a keynote speech which was well received. Both our governments attach great importance to the Buddhist relations between our two countries. I am convinced that under the leadership of H.E. President Sirisena and the national government, the China-Sri Lanka relations where Buddhist relations plays an important role will forge ahead into a new future.

Next year, we will embrace the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and 65th Anniversary of the signing of Rubber and Rice Pact between our two countries. We are looking forward to working with Sri Lankan Buddhist community to jointly celebrate this historic moment. I believe that Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association will continue to play an active part of these celebrations.

Thank you.

• Lakbima News Paper Article