A two-day “Happy Chinese New Year” Lantern Festival Fair was held at Colombo Port City on Feb. 27–28, drawing around 10,000 local residents, overseas Chinese and business representatives, organisers said.
The event, staged to mark the Lantern Festival at the close of China’s Spring Festival period, was the first Chinese New Year temple fair jointly organised by China and Sri Lanka.
The opening ceremony was attended by H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka; Hon. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance; Hon. Muneer Mulaffer, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; and Hon. Hanif Yusoof, Governor of the Western Province. Foreign diplomats, representatives of the overseas Chinese community and Chinese enterprises, local officials and partner organisations were also present.
In remarks at the ceremony, Qi said the Lantern Festival symbolises reunion and good fortune and marks the conclusion of the Lunar New Year celebrations. He said the Spring Festival, while originating in China, has increasingly become a global cultural celebration, and expressed hope that the fair would further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Fernando read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, who said the festival represents unity and hope. The message said the lantern fair offered Sri Lankans an opportunity to experience traditional Chinese culture at close range, helping deepen mutual understanding and friendship. It added that Sri Lanka and China maintain relations based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and extended wishes for peace and prosperity to the Chinese people.
The fair featured cultural performances blending Chinese and Sri Lankan traditions, exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage, food stalls and interactive folk activities. About 20 Chinese-funded enterprises and 30 Sri Lankan companies participated, showcasing specialty foods, handicrafts and cultural products.
Organisers also installed a lantern-lit promenade along the Indian Ocean waterfront, creating a festive night-time display against Colombo’s skyline.