Lankan President leaves for 4-day visit to China

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday left for a four-day visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, his second overseas visit – the first being to India – since assuming office in September last year.

“The visit will take place from January 14 to January 17”, the media division of the President's Office said.

During the visit, Dissanayake will hold bilateral talks with President Xi on a range of areas of mutual interest and will also meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Zhao Leji.

A host of issues, including permitting Chinese “research vessels” regarded as spy ships by India; Sri Lanka's debt commitments to China, stated to be Colombo's largest creditor, and expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investments are expected to figure in Dissanayake's talks with Xi.