A Sri Lankan delegation has formalised a new partnership with officials from Bazhong City in China’s Sichuan Province, signing a Memorandum of Friendly Cooperation aimed at strengthening ties across culture, tourism, education and trade.
The agreement was signed between the China–Sri Lanka Association for Cultural, Tourism and Economic & Trade Exchange and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of Bazhong City, during an official ceremony attended by senior government and civil activist representatives from both sides.
Under the MoU, the two parties will work together to enhance mutual understanding and trust, promote cultural and tourism exchanges, facilitate trade opportunities and encourage the sharing of resources. The agreement also opens pathways for establishing future sister-city relationships between Sri Lankan and Chinese municipalities.
The Sri Lankan delegation was coordinated by the newly established Silk Route Institute of South Asia (SRISA), a think tank formed to promote knowledge-based cooperation between the East and the West. The institute aims to support research, cultural outreach, and international partnerships by serving as a platform for policy and academic collaboration.
President Seelaratna Senarath signed the MoU on behalf of the China–Sri Lanka Association for Cultural, Tourism and Economic & Trade Exchange, while Guo Gang, President of the People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries of Bazhong City, represented the Chinese side.
The signing ceremony in Bazhong was attended by Vice Mayor Ma Xudong, Deputy Secretary Generals You Jun and Wang Xingquan, and Zhang Zuoyong from the city’s Foreign Affairs Office.
The Sri Lankan delegation included Nimal Rathnayake, Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana and Culture, Harsha B. Abeykoon, Deputy Director of the Department of Government Information, and K.C. Saranga, General Manager of Ada Derana, who participated as consultants. Chief Executive Officer Harshadeva Amarathunga and Education Affairs Consultant Kanthi Senarath represented the SRISA.
Both sides said the agreement marks a significant step toward deepening cooperation and expanding opportunities for people-to-people engagement. They expressed confidence that the partnership would contribute to the social and economic development of both Sri Lanka and Bazhong City.