H’tota Chamber to teach Chinese to local community

The Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) has joined hands with the Colombo University China Language Center and the Hambantota International Port to provide Chinese language lessons to Hambantota 
district residents.   

The Chamber began the language learning programme four years ago, with the goal of educating the Hambantota business community, especially the tourism sector, on Chinese language and culture.  

They believe that locals learning Chinese would ensure ease of doing business, considering the number of China based projects in the district.  

The first phase of the programme was launched with technical assistance from the China-Sri Lanka Vocational Training Centre, and the support of the 
Chinese Embassy.

Following the closure of the training centre, they reached out to Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) for help. 

Sudhammika Wickremanayake, Operations Manager of HDCC said HIPG was happy to come on board to revive the programme, because it was in line with their corporate social responsibility vision to empower 
the community.  

HIPG provides the physical needs such as accommodation, food and transport, while Colombo University has supplied them with two Chinese teachers Yi Yingzi and Ma Lijuan who joined the programme in 2018.  

The one year study programme has benefited over 150 participants so far and has been extended to HIPG employees as well.