China to support Sri Lanka's post COVID-19 Economic Revival

COLOMBO (News 1st): China on Wednesday reaffirmed its support for Sri Lanka to overcome its future challenges that arise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to rebuild the island nation's economy in the post-pandemicic situation. The Acting Ambassador and Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo Hu Wei made this comment when he met with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (29th April), said the President's Media Division. “Sri Lanka is a special friend of China. We have long standing and cordial relations between the two countries. When we faced COVID- 19 disaster recently, Sri Lanka stood with us. China is willing to return that goodwill in the form of fullest cooperation to revive Sri Lanka’s economy in the post COVID – 19 period”, Hu Wei told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday. Wei emphasized China expects to assist Sri Lanka to overcome its future challenges adding Sri Lanka will receive help not only from the Central Government of China but also from the country’s leading companies and banks to rebuild its economy in the post – COVID -19 period. According to the President's Media Division, during the meeting, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had noted that COVID – 19 pandemic has adversely impacted not only the Sri Lankan economy but also the global economy. The sharp drop in foreign exchange earnings has posed an enormous challenge before the country, said the President adding, Due to the nosedive plunge of global economy Sri Lanka lost the income generated by apparel industry and tourism. Responding to a query by the Acting Ambassador on the progress of current COVID – 19 prevention activities, President Rajapaksa said the spread of the virus is under control. President explained the reasons for the sudden spike in infections during the last few days and said remedial steps have been taken accordingly.