Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa attend event to celebrate China's People's Liberation Army

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - An event to mark the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army took place last evening (July 23) at Shangri-la Hotel in Colombo. The Chief Guest for the evening was the Secretary of Defence Kapila Waidyaratne. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa were also present at the occasion. The Former President was seen engaged in a lengthy discussion with Opposition Leader R.Sampanthan before the event commenced. The event was opened with the Chinese National Anthem followed by the Sri Lankan National Anthem. Speaking at the event Military, Naval and Air Attache, Senior Colonel Xu Jianwei said that China's armed forces follows a comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept and it will continue to develop military to military relations with Sri Lanka. He added that China has provided powerful support to socio-economic development and military investment to Sri Lanka and the friendship between China and Sri Lanka has grown even stronger over the years. Secretary of Defence Kapila Waidyaratne speaking at the event stated that China's assistance in providing military equipment, weapons and ammunition and technology to Sri Lanka indicate the success of the bilateral military relationships between the two nations.