Chinese friendship was extended to Sri Lanka through the ancient Silk Road many centuries ago when the two countries established close trade and cultural links. The People's Republic of China (PRC) and Sri Lanka established diplomatic ties in 1957, laying the foundation for cooperation in several fields.

During times of disaster, China has been among the first to come to Sri Lanka's assistance. In 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated Sri Lanka, China helped in the reconstruction. It did a repeat act after the end of a nearly three-decade-old separatist movement, assisting the civil war-battered island nation's development with soft loans and investment.

Sri Lanka values such friendship and Sri Lankans have been supporting China whenever necessary. When the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic was reported in China, Sri Lanka's political leaders, cutting across political lines, expressed solidarity with China.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa led Buddhist religious ceremonies to pray for China while Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi hosted several media briefings where she expressed confidence in China's capability to contain the epidemic. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa too showed his support to China unequivocally.

Besides political leaders, members of many civil-society organizations rallied in front of the Chinese embassy in Colombo, holding up the flags of the two countries and posters to show support for China's fight against the epidemic.

A moving gesture came from Devi Balika Vidyalaya, a prestigious public girl's school in Colombo with a history of more than 60 years. Forty-three of its young students wrote a letter to Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, together with drawings supporting China. To their joy, she wrote back to them on March 2, appreciating their support for China's COVID-19 combat and encouraging them to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries. The spontaneous gesture by the young girls can be said to symbolize the future of the China-Sri Lanka friendship.

When Sri Lanka faced the epidemic in March, China was the first country to deliver assistance. Besides central and local governments, enterprises, organizations and individuals also came forward with help.

On the Sri Lankan Government's request, China gave Sri Lanka a concessionary loan of $500 million to fight the coronavirus, which can be paid back in 10 years. There have also been donations of COVID-19 test kits, medical masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE)from China.

Following my request as acting president of the Sri Lanka China Society, many non-governmental organizations in China donated PPE to Sri Lanka. Particularly the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and its branches in different provinces and the Amity Foundation in Nanjing came forward to support us. The estimated value of their donations was over $200,000.

Many of the consignments sent by Chinese organizations carried the Chinese and Sri Lankan flags as well as inspirational messages of support and solidarity in Chinese, Sinhala, Tamil and English. Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei's assistance carried a quote by the Buddha, saying "Health is the ultimate wealth." The quote resonated in Sri Lanka, where 70 percent of the population are Buddhists.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has thanked the Chinese Government and people for the medical assistance and advice. He said in his official Twitter account that China and Sri Lanka have shown immense cooperation in supporting each other during the pandemic and will continue to nurture their relationship.

The recent medical assistance from China will not only contribute to the health and wellbeing of Sri Lankans but also enhance the historical friendship between the two countries. It proves that during any kind of disaster, not only the Chinese Government but the people of China have supported Sri Lanka to overcome the difficulties.

The author is acting president of Sri Lanka China Society

(Printed Edition Title: Friends in Need) 

Copyedited by Sudeshna Sarkar

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