In his letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Hon. Yang Jiechi, the acting Minister said “The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in extending our deepest condolences to the Government and the people of China on this natural disaster. Our thoughts, especially go out to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones and the large number of people displaced in this tragedy"

The full text of the letter is as follows;
His Excellency Yang Jiechi
Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the People’s Republic of China

Your Excellency,

I was deeply shocked to learn of the heavy loss of life and widespread destruction of property in the massive earthquake that struck the Sichuan Province in China yesterday.

The Government and the people of Sri Lanka join me in extending our deepest condolences to the Government and the people of China on this natural disaster. Our thoughts, especially go out to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones and the large number of people displaced in this tragedy.

While expressing our firm solidarity with the Government and the people of China in this hour of great trial, I am confident that the survivors in the affected areas will be able to recover quickly from this ordeal, given the rescue and relief efforts which have been immediately launched.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.