Biz News Flash

Sri Lanka seeks greater cooperation with China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-22 10:29

COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka looks forward to greater cooperation with China in the international arena after President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, a senior official said here Tuesday.

Governor of Sri Lanka's Central Bank Ajith Cabraal was referring to the meeting held on the sidelines of the economic summit held in the Russian town of St Petersburg last week.

Related readings:  Chinese state councilor meets Sri Lanka's PM  Sri Lanka star weightlifter banned for testing positive  UN chief sets conditions for Sri Lanka probe  Sri Lanka victory a 'panacea'

"Many discussions were held on infrastructure investment in tourism. China has a huge middle class for tourism potential. People-to-people contact in the economic sphere can develop into flexible financial arrangements," Cabraal said.

External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris said the Chinese president had assured Sri Lanka its support against external intervention in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is currently under the spotlight over the UN Secretary General's special panel report which called for a war crimes investigation into Sri Lanka.

Peiris said Sri Lanka have found two members of the UN security council who would stand by the island in the event of further action by the UN on the panel report.

Commenting on the Sri Lankan president's meetings with both the Chinese and Russian leaders, Peiris said, "Sri Lanka is not isolated. We have international friends who empathize with us."