Organized by Bank of China Colombo Branch and China Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka
The “Relentless Floods, Boundless Love” disaster relief and educational donation initiative recently held two ceremonies in the Central and Western Provinces of Sri Lanka. The initiative provided emergency educational assistance to over 600 students from schools affected by recent floods, reflecting the enduring friendship and spirit of mutual support between the peoples of China and Sri Lanka.
A Relay of Love Across Two Provinces
The first ceremony took place on January 2 at Sri Chandananda Buddhist College in Kandy, Central Province. Attendees included the Provincial Director of Education for the Central Province, Mr. Liu Ying (Country Manager of Bank of China Colombo Branch), and Mr. Ni Lisheng (Director of China Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka). The donation supported 200 students from four schools in the region, with essential supplies including schoolbags, stationery, notebooks, and other daily necessities, valued at approximately 2.7 million Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR).
The second ceremony was held at Presbyterian Girls’ School in Colombo, Western Province. This initiative reached 434 students across three flood-affected schools, providing relief supplies also valued at approximately 2.7 million LKR. Key attendees included Mr. Liu Ying, Mr. Ni Lisheng, and high-ranking local officials such as Mr. Harsha Wijewardana (Secretary of the Western Province Provincial Council) and Mr. Palitha Nanayakkara (Commissioner of Colombo Municipal Council). Nearly 300 participants, including education officials and student representatives, attended the event, receiving essential items such as clothing, schoolbags, stationery, and notebooks.
Standing Together Through Thick and Thin
During both ceremonies, Chinese representatives emphasized that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka spans over a millennium, marked by a spirit of “mutual assistance through thick and thin.”
Mr. Liu Ying highlighted that as a Chinese enterprise operating in Sri Lanka, the Bank of China is committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities and giving back to the local community. She noted that amid the floods’ devastation, the Bank stands firmly with the Sri Lankan people, leveraging public welfare to support the recovery of local education.
Mr. Ni Lisheng added that culture serves as a bridge for people-to-people connectivity, and education represents the future of a nation. He expressed hope that this support would encourage children to grow into the next generation of torchbearers for China-Sri Lanka friendship.
Gratitude and a Shared Future
Sri Lankan representatives expressed heartfelt gratitude for the selfless assistance. They highlighted that Chinese friends have consistently been the first to extend a helping hand during natural disasters, offering both material aid and vital moral support.
The ceremonies concluded with the formal handover of supplies to student representatives. In Colombo, students expressed their appreciation through speeches, songs, and traditional dances. The “Relentless Floods, Boundless Love” initiative, spanning both provinces, not only provides urgent educational relief but also stands as a vivid practice of cultural exchange, reinforcing that the traditional friendship of “standing together through thick and thin” between China and Sri Lanka remains strong and vibrant.