President arrives in China on State Visit
[Monday, February 26, 2007 - 7.00 GMT]    

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is now in the People's Republic of China on a State visit to the country to mark the completion of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China. 

The official delegation led by President Rajapaksa, accompanied by Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa and several ministers including Foreign Minister Rohitha Boigollagama, Minister of Petroleum & Petroleum Resources A. H. M. Fowsie, Urban Development and Sacred Sites Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardane, Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda, Enterprises Development & Investment Promotion Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Cultural Affairs Mabhinda Yapa Abeywardhana, Minister of Transport Dulles Alahapperuma that arrived at the Beijing International Airport this morning was conducted by motorcade to the Diyotha State Guest House in Beijing.

The first official act of the President on this visit will be to present corneas from Sri Lankan donors to the Red Cross Society of China.  

The President will also gift an elephant named Migara from the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage to the Beijing Zoo, as a special gift to the children of China from Sri Lanka.  

This visit is expected to further strengthen relations between Sri Lanka and China. In a major initiative to attract Chinese investors to Sri Lanka and expand trade between the two countries, the President will meet with Chinese corporate leaders in Beijing and also address Trade, Investment and Tourism Seminars at Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

President Rajapaksa is due to meet with the Chinese President tomorrow (Feb.27) when important bilateral agreements between the two countries will be signed.

Of special significance during this visit is the agreement to be signed between for the development of the new port at Hambantota, by Chinese investment and expertise. Several others agreements relating to trade,
investment and infrastructure development in Sri Lanka are also due to be signed during this State Visit by the President, who is accompanied by a team of Ministers as well as key officials and leading figures from the
corporate sector.

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Last Updated Date: February 26, 2007 - 7.00 GMT