Against the backdrop of India arranging visit of parliamentarians, China, too, organised one for MPs. The following is the text of statement issued by parliament: “A Parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka, led by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, visited the People’s Republic of China to attend the Workshop for Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka. The workshop, organized by the International Cooperation Centre of the National Development and Reform Commission of China and sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, take place from June 20 to July 6, 2025.
The delegation comprised both government and opposition members who are office bearers and executive committee members of the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association. The government representatives included Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, (Leader of the delegation), Members of Parliament (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha, (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga, Ajith Gihan, (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi, Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney at Law, Aboobucker Athambawa, Ashoka Gunasena, and Thanura Dissanayake. The opposition was represented by Members of Parliament Kins Nelson, B. Ariyawansha, and Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney at Law.
The delegation was accompanied by officials including Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, Chief of Staff & Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament, Ranil Nanayakkara, Senior Parliamentary Protocol Officer from Parliament secretariat, and Ms. Thilini Thusharika Gamage, Management Service Officer of the Office of Leader of the House of Parliament.
The workshop’s opening ceremony was held on June 22, 2025, at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, in the presence of Mr. Chen Shuai, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation of the NDRC. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China Majintha Jayesinghe, also attended the ceremony.
On June 23, 2025, the delegation visited the National People’s Congress (NPC) and met with Wang Ke, Deputy Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress and Deputy Chairman of the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Group. During the meeting, both leaders discussed strengthening the existing cordial relations between China and Sri Lanka.
During their stay in China, the delegation will gain insights into various aspects of China’s national condition, including the prospects of the Development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development Planning, Digital Economy, Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence, Global Energy Transition, and Carbon Neutrality, among other interesting subject matters. These discussions are expected to enhance the delegation’s understanding of China’s development experiences and foster stronger bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China.”