Aiding Sri Lankan Buddhist centers

China is ready to grant assistance to develop Buddhist centers in Sri Lanka, according to Sri Lankan Prime Minister DM Jayarathna. Jayarathna made the statement following a meeting with a visiting Chinese delegation headed by Minister of Religious Affairs Wong Shuwong.
Wong said at the meeting that Sri Lanka is a center of World Buddhist heritage. The Chinese official also pledged continuous support for Sri Lanka’s massive development programs.
According to Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, there has been a strong cultural relationship between Sri Lanka and China, which started 1,600 years ago when the Chinese monk Fa-Heian traveled to the island.
Buddhism apart, from 1950 the Chinese government has extended support to implement many leading development projects in Sri Lanka. Among them are the Hambanthota new harbor, the Norochcholai coal power plant and the upper Kotmale hydro power project.