Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang ( from left) and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe opening the office. (Photo: Ashwin Hemmathagama)

Colombo - Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yi Xianliang declared the opening of  the Sri Lanka-China Logistics and Industrial Zone Office in Hambantota Saturday.

The office will overlook the operation of the 50-square-kilometer Industrial Zone officially established in January this year, and serve as a workplace for its Sri Lankan and Chinese staff.

Wickremesinghe highlighted the importance of the relationship with China, saying that the particular event will further strengthen the strong ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe unveiling the plaque. (Photo:  Ashwin Hemmathagama)

“This is the beginning of a new chapter in the Indian Ocean. I believe Sri Lanka will also become a transit point for China soon. We expect the Sri Lanka-China Logistics and Industrial Zone will transform Sri Lanka into an important trading and logistics hub and attract massive investments to the Hambantota area,” said Wickremesinghe.

The Prime Minister also expressed the island nation’s willingness to participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which will strengthen connectivity not only between China and Europe but also in entire Asia.

 Arrival of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe and Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianliang. (Photo:  Ashwin Hemmathagama)

Some Sri Lankan officials attended the opening ceremony, inlcuding Minister of Housing and Construction Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Rathnayaka, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and State Minister of Mahaweli Development Mahinda Amarawwera, Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dilip Wedaarachchi.