Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong and Madam Jin Qian yesterday (06) handed over Rs 4 million worth educational assistance for students of Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
The assistance was granted under the ‘Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship 2022’ scheme at a ceremony held at the Eastern University.
Assistance was provided to 150 outstanding students from underprivileged families of all ethnicities in the university, to help their study and daily life for 07 months, the embassy notes.
Speaking at the event, ambassador Qi Zhenhong briefed recent initiatives taken by China to assist Sri Lanka.
“On my second visit to Eastern Province, I bring the cordial greetings and full support of the Chinese people to the Sri Lankan people. Yesterday, I handed over a new batch of grant from China’s Yunnan Province to the Eastern Province. As a follow-up of its food donation worth LKR 55 million to 10,000 families in all the three districts of the Eastern Province in May, the Yunnan Provincial Government is very kind to donate another 22 smart boards worth LKR 21 million and about 70 sets of solar streetlights worth LKR 13 million to more than 20 schools in the province (including Eastern University),” he said.
“In addition, to improve the increasing hardship of local fishermen due to various challenges, the Chinese embassy will construct 10 housing units for the needy families in Kaluwankerni, Batticaloa district,” he added. A groundbreaking ceremony was held later on Tuesday (06).
“Today, upon the good initiative from the Vice Chancellor, I’m honored and delighted to award a total of LKR 4 million of Chinese Ambassador’s Scholarship to 150 outstanding students of all ethnic groups, which is the first time that the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship has been particularly issued to the Eastern Province. I sincerely hope the scholarships will help your study and daily life,” he announced.
“Youth is the future of a country and the future of the friendship between two countries. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Sri Lanka, and the 70th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact. I sincerely wish all the students to study hard, grow strong, and become new backbone of Sri Lanka and China-Sri Lanka friendship,” he concluded.
