President requests China to restructure debt repayment

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who met with visiting Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said it would be a great relief for Sri Lanka in the midst of the economic crisis if debt payments could be restructured.  A statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD) said President Rajapaksa recalled the historic close ties between the two countries at the meeting. 

The statement said the president extended his sincere gratitude on behalf of Sri Lanka and its people to the Chinese Foreign Minister for the material and financial assistance received from China in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recalling the profound friendship between the two countries, Mr. Wang Yi said that he was pleased to be back in Sri Lanka and said that China would always support Sri Lanka as a close friend. 

The President also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Government for its continued support in providing Sinopharm vaccines to Sri Lanka in order to successfully implement the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

The President requested Mr. Wang Yi to assist in attracting Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka under the bio-bubble concept.

The President pointed out that it would be a great relief to the country if attention could be paid on restructuring the debt repayments as a solution to the economic crisis that has arisen in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The President also said that if a concessional trade credit scheme could be initiated for imports from China, it would enable the industries to operate smoothly.