Sri Lanka expects relations with China to further strengthen<br>

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Jan. 24 (APD) - Sri Lanka expects relations with China to further strengthen, Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said on Wednesday.

He said this when he met the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan.

Jayasuriya said that China has been a close friend of Sri Lanka over the years and has assisted Sri Lanka in many ways.

The Speaker said he expects the relationship between both countries to grow stronger with the appointment of the new Ambassador.

Cheng Xueyuan assumed duties as Sri Lanka's new Ambassador on Tuesday. He arrived in Colombo with his family on Sunday.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)