News Item ONE
A China aided office and auditorium complex was handed over to the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa, on December 15. The hand-over ceremony was inaugurated by President Maithripala Sirisena and Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan, in the presence of Lt. General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, a Chinese military delegation led by Major General Shen Jun, as well as other senior army officers from both Sri Lanka and China.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Brigadier H.H.A.S.P.K Senaratne, Commandant of the Sri Lanka Military Academy said the new building would strengthen the longstanding cordial relationship between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Sri Lanka Army. He explained that this state-of-the-art building was constructed in the shape of a lotus, which is the national flower of Sri Lanka and it would serve as an office, teaching and assembly space for the staff and cadets of the Sri Lanka Military Academy.
“The auditorium has a seating capacity of 785 with sound and optoelectronic facilities, central air conditioning and intelligent power supply and distribution control system,” the Commandant added.
Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan stressed that this comprehensive office and auditorium building, which was a gift from the Chinese government to the Sri Lankan side, would become another symbol and witness of the friendship between the two armies and two countries. History was the key witness, and reality was the best statement. China and Sri Lanka were good neighbors, good friends and good partners. Whatever changes might take place in the international situation, the two countries always stood with and supported each other. Both China and Sri Lanka were peace-loving countries. The relationship between the two militaries, had become an important and positive factor in the development of bilateral relations.
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News Item TWO: in DAILY FT, “New office, auditorium complex aided by China handed over to Sri Lanka Military Academy,” 17 December 2018
A China aided office and auditorium complex was handed over to the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa, on December 15. The hand-over ceremony was inaugurated by President Maithripala Sirisena and Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan, in the presence of Lt. General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, a Chinese military delegation led by Major General Shen Jun, as well as other senior army officers from both Sri Lanka and China.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Brigadier H.H.A.S.P.K Senaratne, Commandant of the Sri Lanka Military Academy said the new building would strengthen the longstanding cordial relationship between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and the Sri Lanka Army. He explained that this state-of-the-art building was constructed in the shape of a lotus, which is the national flower of Sri Lanka and it would serve as an office, teaching and assembly space for the staff and cadets of the Sri Lanka Military Academy.
“The auditorium has a seating capacity of 785 with sound and optoelectronic facilities, central air conditioning and intelligent power supply and distribution control system,” the Commandant added.
Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan stressed that this comprehensive office and auditorium building, which was a gift from the Chinese government to the Sri Lankan side, would become another symbol and witness of the friendship between the two armies and two countries. History was the key witness, and reality was the best statement. China and Sri Lanka were good neighbors, good friends and good partners. Whatever changes might take place in the international situation, the two countries always stood with and supported each other. Both China and Sri Lanka were peace-loving countries. The relationship between the two militaries, had become an important and positive factor in the development of bilateral relations.
“The blooming lotus and the evergreen mountains witness the lasting brotherhood and friendship between China and Sri Lanka. Two countries will conform to the trend of world peace and development, under the guidance of the leadership of two countries, to enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen comprehensive and pragmatic cooperation in political, economic, military, cultural and other fields, and promote the continuous development of the relations between the two armies and two countries, and make greater contributions to the stability and prosperity of China and Sri Lanka.” Cheng said.
The new office and auditorium complex of the Sri Lanka Military Academy covers total floor area of 7,200 square metres. The project started in Oct. 2014, and was designed, constructed and supervised by the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
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