Sri Lanka Prez Gotabaya thanks Chinese counterpart Xi for ‘continued friendship’ throughout ‘making an attempt occasions’

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday expressed his appreciation for China for its “continued friendship, particularly during these trying times”, as he thanked his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for wishing him on his birthday.

Rajapaksa was born on June 20, 1949.

“Thank you President Xi Jinping for the warm birthday wishes. Along with all of #lka I also want to thank #China for her continued friendship, particularly during these trying times. May the ties between our two nations grow from strength to strength,” he tweeted, referring to the worst financial disaster confronted by the island nation and Rajapaksa’s bid to restructure money owed owed to Beijing.

It is estimated that Sri Lanka owes debt funds to China within the area of USD 1.5 to 2 billion this yr. China’s loans and investments in Sri Lanka have been estimated to be greater than USD eight billion in the previous couple of years.

China’s takeover of the Hambantota port on 99 years’ lease for USD 1.2 billion debt swap drew worldwide issues over Beijing buying strategic property distant from house by offering heavy loans and funding to smaller nations to construct unviable infrastructure initiatives.

Xi despatched a birthday letter to Rajapaksa and underlined the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact “independence, self-reliance, unity & mutual support” in opposition to the present state of affairs, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted final week.

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China all the time stands prepared to increase its help to Sri Lanka, Xi, additionally General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China, wrote in his letter to Rajapaksa.

“2022 marks the 65th anniversary of China and Sri Lanka diplomatic ties. We have been understanding & supporting each other for 65 years. I attach great importance to the development of our relations and would continue work to elevate it to new heights,” he wrote.

Sri Lanka has been grappling with unprecedented financial turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The financial disaster has additionally created political unrest within the nation.

There have been avenue protests in Sri Lanka in opposition to the federal government since early April attributable to its mishandling of the financial disaster.

A crippling scarcity of overseas reserves has led to lengthy queues for gasoline, cooking gasoline, and different necessities whereas energy cuts and hovering meals costs have heaped distress on the individuals.

On May 9, the political disaster noticed the unleashing of violence with 10 individuals, together with a parliamentarian, being killed. Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa needed to resign as prime minister amidst the political and financial turmoil.