Patrons:
His Excellency The Ambassador of People’s Republic of China
Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne SLCS - Founder President
OFFICE BEARERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2016
President Mr. Amaradasa Gunawardana Vice Presdent Mr. Sumana D. Liyanage Mr. Jinith de Silva General Secretary Mr. Wilmon Wickremasinghe Assistant Secretary Mr J. Paranamana Treasurer Mr. Sumith Ediriwickrama Assistant Treasurer Mr. Nimal Jayasundara Social Secretary Mr. Nanda Corea Media Secretary Mr. Harold Peiris Auditor Mr. Anton Hettige
Committee Members
Mr. Nihal C.B.Perera Mr. Lal De Alwis Mrs. Ranjani Silva Mrs. Ratna Kodagoda Mrs. Chintha Akuretiyagama Mr. Vijitha Kadiragonna Mr. S.M. Gnanaratne Mr. Tilak Fernando Mr. G.P. Piyasena Mrs. Mallika Gunawardana Mr. Shantha Wijeweera Mr. Premadasa Danansuriya Mr. Chandralal Sooriyaarachchi Mr. Nimal Gunaratne Dr. D.M.D.V. Jayampathi Mrs. Swarnamala Karunaratne Mr. J. Kaviratne Mr. D.G. Dayaratne Mr. Nimal Dissanayake
2 ANNUAL REPORT SUBMITTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SRI LANKA CHINA SOCIETY HELD ON 27 MAY 2018 AT THE AMARADASA GUNAWARDANA AUDITORIUM AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF SRI LANKA COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND CHARITY
It is indeed with great pleasure and satisfaction,we present the Annual Report for an eventful and memorable year 2017 in which we were able to steer our activities towards the intended targets.Throughout since inception of the SLCS in October 1981,prominent place in the programme of activities was given to the strengthening of the people-to-people relations between Sri Lanka and China.Our collaborative projects with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Counties (CPAFFC) and provincial Friendship Associations in China have widened our service area considerably.
SLCS President and Genaral Secretary participating in the CPAFFC’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations
MEMBERSHIP The total membership of the Sri Lanka China Society stood at 689 by the end of April 2018. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS During the year under review we held Nine meetings.Although 30 were elected to the Executive Committee at the last AGM,the average attendance per meeting was only 20 members. SLCS ACTIVITIES There are many reasons for celebration this year which marked the 36th anniversary of the Sri Lanka China Society.We proudly and sincerely rejoice at our success in revitalizing the age old cultural relations between Sri Lanka and China. We were also able to initiate far reaching steps to regenerate the genetically ties of brotherhood of South Asia and China. 3 CELEBRATION OF 60TH ANNIVERSARY SRI LANKA-CHINA RELATIONS We celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Sri Lanka-China Diplomatic Relations on 29th September 2016 coupling with 67th Anniversary of the establishment of People’s Republic of China.Further more we thought of celebrating the historical event academically in a way of a panel discussion and publishing a booklet.This type of activities and programs are the most effective and practical way of disseminating information about China’s rapid development.Their Excellencies the President of Sri Lanka and the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka,were invited to be the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour on the occasion. The panelists were the prominent diplomats,Dr.Nihal Rodrigo and Mr.Bernard Gunatilleke and the famous Scholar Dr.Edwin Ariyadasa.
Panelist Mr.Bernard Gunatillake speaks at the Panel Arrival of the President and the Ambassador to Discussion.Dr.Nihal Rodrigo,Dr.Edwin Ariyadasa participate in the ceremony and Mr.Gunawardana,with His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka and His Excellency the Chinese Ambassador are at the Head Table
SRI LANKA AND CHINA THROUGH THE EYES OF PHOTOGRAPHERS in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China and in enhancement of mutual understanding and friendship,the Sri Lanka China Society,together with the CPAFFC,Shanxi People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Hangzhou People,s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries was able to organize a series of activities. Under this program,two Chinese photographers Mr.Wang Lin and Mr.Wang Yi accompanied by the CPAFFC Representative Miss.Sun Yajing visited Sri Lanka in May 2017 on our invitation. During their tour they visited various places of interest such as, Nuwaraeiiya,Kandy,Dambulla,Sigiriya,Anuradhapura,Polonnaruwa,Pasiku dah,Hambantota,Galle and Colombo and many photographs were taken.In turn Sri Lankan photographers,Mr.Panduka De Silva and Mr.Ravindra Ranasinghe along with SLCS Ex.Co.Member,Dr.Vipula Jayampathi visited China in June 2017 on invitation of CPAFFC,Their places of tour were Beijing,Shanxi,Hangzhou and Shanghai,the sites of cultural and tourist attraction.
4 Under the project,three exhibitions were held in Shanxi Province of China in September 2017,Colombo in November and Hangzhou Province in December.The Chief Guest of the Shanxi Province exhibition was the Sri Lankan Ambassador in China H.E.Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku. The Sri Lankan Exhibition was held from 23rd to 24th November 2017 at the J.D.A.Perera Gallery and Chief Guest was Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources Development,Mr. Sri Lankan Ambassador His Excellency Dr.Karunasena Kodituwakku (middle) participating as Chief Guest in Arjuna Ranatunga while Guest of Honor the exhibition held in China was His Excellency Yi Xianliang the Chinese Ambassador for Sri Lanka.The distinguished Vice President Mr.Hu Sishe participated in the ceremony as a Special Guest. SLCS Vice President Mr.Jinith De Silva has been the driving force behind this whole process.His vision,interest and hard work has culminated in another success story. He deserves commendation for the efforts he has put into developing this new approach. we appreciate the much valued contribution made by Mr.Ma Xiaoming the Director General and Mr.Zhou Jianping Director of Honourable Minister Mr.Arjuna Ranatunga lighting Cultural Exchange Department of the Traditional Oil Lamp, Mr.He and His Excellency the Ambassador look on CPAFFC, to make this project a true mutually benefited project.
CPAFFC VICE PRESIDENT MEETS SRI LANKAN SPEAKER CPAFFC Vice President Mr.Hu Sishe along with his colleagues met the Speaker Mr.Karu Jayasuriya In his chambers in parliament of Sri Lanka on 23rd November 2017.SLCS Vice President Mr.Jinith De Silva and General Secretary Mr.Wilmon Wickremasinghe accompanied him. Mr Hu extended his gratitude to the Speaker for his efforts in promoting Sri Lanka-China friendship.He explained the proceedings of the 19th National Congress of Communist Party of China and its new political and economic reforms.Mr. hu Sishe also invited the Speaker to participate in the International Friendship Cities Conference scheduled to be held next year and make the Key Note Address. ,
5 MOU BETWEEN SLCS AND CIFCA The Vice President of CPAFFC Mr.Xie Yuan led a delegation to visit Sri Lanka on 4th November 2017 and he was accompanied by Mr.Qing Boming Secretary General,Mr.Liu Qian Deputy Secretary General,and Mr,Wang Bo Programme Manager of China International Friendship Cities Association.Their main purpose of visit is to promote Sister City Programme in Sri Mr.Xie Yuan and Mr.Amaradasa Gunawardana Lanka and they met Honorable Minister signing the MOU Arjuna Ranatunga,Central Province Chief Minister Honorable S.Ekanayake and Central Province Governor Mr.K.C.Logeswaran in order to explore the possibilities of making the program so success.They also visited Peradeniya University to negotiate a Inter University Relation project between the two countries.The signing of a MOU with their local facilitator SLCS was taken place in Colombo on 6th November 2017. SRI LANKA CHINA SOCIETY YOUTH CLUB The birth of Sri Lanka China Society Youth Club was in many ways a unique and unprecedented.Its activities during the last five years have proved beyond doubts that the SLCS Youth who are smart and determined in their work are undeniably different from others.Our efforts proved success in establishing the regional youth organization,namely South Asia China Youth Confederation.Our Youth Club President,Secretary and Treasurer were elected as the President,Secretary General,and Chairman of the Finance Commission of the SACYC. As a result of our continued campaign on Empowering the Youth, new opportunities were open and a new platform was available for fruitful actions and meaningful discussion.The Chinese Embassy in Colombo started a process to sponsor youth visits to China in Collaboration with CPAFFC.The first Youth Delegation in China our Secretary Kushnara and Treasurer Dilini extreme right Sri Lankan youth delegation visited China in October last year and next visit is due in July 2018.
THIRD AGM OF COLOMBO BASED YOUTH CLUB The third Annual General Meeting of the Youth Club was held on 17 March 2017 at Amaradasa Gunawardana Auditorium at Headquarters Of Sri Lanka Council for the Blind Charity, Rajagiriya. The Chief Guest was the Cultural Attache of PRC Embassy Mr. Liu Dong. Mr. Indrananda Abeysekera Vice President of OSARFCC attended as Guest Of Honour.The SLCS President and Youth Club Patron Mr.Amaradasa
6 Youth Club Members at the Annual General Youth Club President Chamika addressing the Meeting AGM. while Mr.Gunawardana,Mr.Liu Dong and Mr.Abeysekera Listening to him.SLCS Vice President Mr.Sumana Liyanage in the Audience
The Cultural Attache of the Embassy Mr.Liu Audience of the AGM,SLCS Vice President Dong with Mr.Amaradasa Gunawardana and Mr.jinith De Silva participating in the proceedings Mr.Gamini Wijesinghe
Gunawardana,General Secretary Mr Wilmon Wickremasinghe,Vice Presidents Mr.Sumana Liyanage and Mr.Jinith De Silva and Youth Coordinator Mr.Nanda Corea were present on the occasion to Share the moment with youths. Our former Youth Coordinator Auditor General of Sri Lanka Mr,Gamini Wijesinghe was also present and wished the youth. CHILDREN’S INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CAMP
This is an International Annual Summer Camp in which our children are regular participants since 2013.Our Society is invited to send 10 children between the ages of 12 and 17 years,and one chaperon by the Soong Ching ling Foundation.This year camp was held in Beijing and Shanghai Summer Camp participants in 2015, 2016 and 2017 with their from July 16 to 23,2017. excellencies President of Sri Lanka and Chinese Ambassador Mrs.Hemamali Anoratne after receiving Participation Certificates. chaperoned the team.
7 PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS 60 YEARS DIPLOMATIC RELATION The Chinese Embassy in Colombo decided to have a photographic exhibition in every district to mark the 60 years diplomatic relations between two countries and we were asked to organize the exhibitions in Polonnaruwa,Galle,Kegalle and Trincomalee. SLCS was the only organization that held all exhibitions very successfully within the prescribed period.The Chief Guest of the Polonnaruwa was the Chief Minister Mr.Peshala Jayaratne while the G.A.of the area was in-charge of the organization. In Trincomalee the Chief Guest was the Governor.The G.A.was very helpful in organizing the exhibition.SLCS Treasurer Mr.Nimal Jayasundara,Assistant Secretary Mr.J.Paranamana and Social Secretary Mr.Nanda Corea represented the Society at both ceremonies.The Ambalangoda one was organized by the Executive Committee Member Mr.Chandralal Sooriyaarachchi.The Kegalle Exhibition was organized by the General Secretary in collaboration with Kegalu Vidyalaya.A Souvenir was issued and Inter School Oratory Contest was held to mark the occasion.SLCS President Mr.Amaradasa Gunawardana and Mrs.Gunawardana participated in the Opening Ceremony.The ITN Channel telecast a four(4) minute program on the exhibition.
CHINESE SHAOLIN KUNG FU SHOW THIS SHOW WAS STAGED in four districts,Colombo,Hambantota,Kandy and Polonnaruwa under the sponsorship of Embassy and with support of Friendship Associations to commemorate the signing of Rubber-Rice Pact in 1952 between Sri Lanka and China.Our President helped in numerous ways to make the Polonnaruwa Show a wonderful success.
WOMEN DELEGATION VISIT CHINA A six member women delegation headed by Mrs. Swarnamala Karunaratne visited Jiangsu Province, China from 16 to 26 October 2017. Their visit and meeting with influential women Leaders in Jiangsu would be useful to deepen the traditional friendship between the women of two countries by promoting relationship, mutual understanding and Sri Lankan Women Delegation in Jiangsu cooperation. VISIT TO XINING PROVINCE On invitation,a three member delegation headed by Ex.Co.Member Mr.Chandralal Sooriyaarachchi visited Xining in China in view of Strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries
8 FIFTH CHINA SOUTH ASIA FRIENDSHIP ORGANIZATIONS’ FORUM On the invitation of CPAFFC and Yunnan PAFFC,SLCS Vice President Mr.Sumaqna Liyanage,and General Secretary Mr.Wilmon Wickremasinghe visited Kunmin in Yunan province from 10 to 12 September 2017 to participate in the “China Yunnan-South Asia Friendship Organizations’ Forum”.The theme of the Forum was “Closure Bonds and Cooperation for Stronger Friendship and Development”. Mr.Liyanage’s presentation on”Enhancing Social and Cultural Exchanges for People to People Connectivity” was well taken by the participants as it was very informative and factual. From September 12 to 16,The Fifth China South Asia Friendship Organizations’ Forum was in session in Chengdu and Mr.Liyanage’s contribution in drafting the “CHENGDU DECLARATION” was great.
Delegation leader Vice President Mr.Sumana Liyanage addressing the Forum
GUANGDONG DELEGATION’S VISIT A high power delegation from Guangdong visited Sri Lanka from 9th to12th of March 2018.On their request,we met them and hosted for dinner.During the discussions,they agreed to invite a Youth Delegation from our Society to visit Guangdong and promised to donate some Volley Balls and Nets.They have already made arrangements to ship the equipment. DEATH OF THREE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS We record with great sorrow the deaths of three senior committee members,namely,Mr.Nissanka Madurapperuma,Mrs.Ratna Kodagoda and Mr.Lal De Alwis.We acknowledge and appreciate their immense service to the Society.
9 CONCLUSION Sri Lanka China Society which was founded in October 1981 has completed its 36 years of existence.Since very inception,foundation of the Sri Lanka China Society has been so solid and resourceful.It’s founders as well as followers have been visionary and mindful.Excellence, cannot be so easily earned.Commitment,determination,crea tivity,farsightedness and intelligence are the important features of a successful story. In that sense,Sri Lanka China Society has been fortunate and privileged to possess such qualities that helped to make a difference for better. Sri Lanka China Society is working at people’s level to continuously enrich the relations between Sri Lanka and china. Sri Lanka China Business cooperation Council,Sri Lanka China Society Youth Clubs and SLCS School Study Circles and South Asia China Youth Confederation are some of the most effective organizations through which Sri Lanka China Society has been actively engaged in making meaningful contribution to enhance the friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and China,aimed at deepening the South Asia and China Partnership.
Amaradasa Gunawardana Wilmon Wickremasinghe President General Secretary
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