SRI LANKA has praised China for its cooperation during its decades long conflict with the LTTE, as Beijing pledged USD one million in aid for the rehabilitation of the displaced Tamil civilians housed in the relief camps in the country.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama conveyed Colombo's appreciation to China during his talks with Lt Gen Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, People's Liberation Army (PLA), for assisting Colombo "during the demanding times", a Sri Lankan foreign ministry release said.
Xiaotian, during his meeting with Bogollagama last week, on the sidelines of the 8th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, expressed satisfaction over the victory of the Sri Lankan forces against the LTTE. The Chinese general told Bogollagama that he had been closely following developments in Sri Lanka.
He highlighted the importance China places on bi-lateral relations, territorial integrity and sovereignty of both nations and expressed his appreciation of Sri Lanka's position on the "One- China Policy" (including Tibet).
Xiaotian said China pledged to extend USD one million to assist the IDPs in Sri Lanka and that it would be willing to further assist Sri Lanka. (Courtesy: Daily Mirror)
