Feb 28, Beijing: A ceremony was held in Beijing this evening to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China and to usher in the Year of China-Sri Lanka Friendship.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Wan Jifei led the ceremony and lit an oil lamp to mark the occasion according to Sri Lankan tradition. Sri Lankan First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa is also pictured.

The Sri Lankan President and CCPIT Chairman also toured an exhibit commemorating the history of Sino-Sri Lankan ties.

(Pix: Sudath Silva)