23 December 2023 12:00 am Views - 73
By Kelum Bandara
Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said that his country will continue to provide firm support to the China-Sri Lanka Joint Water Technology Research and Demonstration Centre.
Making his remarks at the signing ceremony of the tri-partite agreement among Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development of Sri Lanka and the University of Peradeniya recently, the Ambassador said a lot of people in Sri Lanka are suffering from the chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu), and the Chinese government and people feel for them.
The project proposals related to the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease put forward by Sri Lanka have received positive responses and strong support from the Chinese government.
“So far, China has assisted in the construction of three projects to prevent, treat, and trace the cause of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin in Sri Lanka, including water supply pipeline network project, kidney disease hospital, and the China-Sri Lanka Joint Water Technology Research and Demonstration Centre (JRDC). And the total investment of these projects is more than 2 billion RMB. The Kandy North –Pathadumbara Integrated Water Supply Project ensures drinking water safety for nearly 500,000 people. In Polonnaruwa, we have established the largest kidney disease hospital in South Asia, providing the most advanced kidney disease diagnosis and treatment facilities,” he said.
Prof. Wei Yuansong of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said, “In August 2013, it was the first time for us to know the burning issue of Sri Lanka--Chronic kidney disease with unknown etiology (CKDu), and since then we have begun the road to cooperation between China and Sri Lanka. Based on our cooperation with the Ministry of Water Supply and the University of Peradeniya, the China-Sri Lanka JRDC focuses on research on causes studies of CKDu, improvement of drinking water and water environment, and joint research and talent cultivation. The cooperation of the JRDC has been included in the joint statement of the China and Sri Lanka governments twice in 2016 and 2023, respectively. The China-Sri Lanka JRDC is growing up under China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative and has achieved a breakthrough from 0 to 1. Today the signing of the tripartite agreement is the best commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, and marks the new stage of the JRDC. In the future, we will continue to actively promote China-Sri Lanka water science and technology cooperation with support from two countries to make the JRDC a leading centre and benefit more people in two countries,” he said.