Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said Sri Lanka is always grateful to the Chinese Buddhist community for its meritorious acts of helping the temples and low-income families in Sri Lanka. He said this at a function held at the Gangaramaya Temple to distribute dry rations donated by Chinese Buddhist to low-income families.
“By such meritorious acts, the Chinese people prove that they are Kalyan Mithras (True Friends) who stand by you at times of happiness as well as during difficulties,” he said. He thanked Ven Kirinde Assaji Thera, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and the Sri Lanka – China Buddhist Friendship Society for organizing this meritorious deed.
Ambassador Qi Zhenhong recalled the age old friendship between the two countries and made a special mention of late ministers R G Senanayake and Philip Gunawardena who maintained close contacts with Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. He said his country will always assist the friendly people of Sri Lanka.
After the ceremony, the Prime minister and Chinese Ambassador visited the community food center of Gangaramaya, where lunch is provided daily to the poor people in the vicinity.
President of the Sri Lanka – China Buddhist Friendship Society Ajith Dharmawardena and Secretary Aruna De Silva and Gangarama Dayake Sabha member Priyantha Kariyapperuma were also present at this occasion.