Tamils - a Trans State Nation..

"To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
Life's good comes not from others' gift, nor ill
Man's pains and pains' relief are from within.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise !."
- Tamil Poem in Purananuru, circa 500 B.C 

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse leaves for China

Sri Lanka State Controlled Sunday Observer
25 February 2007

see also China's Submarine Base in Maldives
China's Strategy of Containing India - Dr. Mohan Malik
China undertakes construction of Hambantota Port
 "China fear" to "China fever" - Pallavi Aiyar

Several agreements on Sino-Lanka bilateral co-operation will be signed during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Chinese visit, which coincides with the 50th year anniversary of Sino-Lanka diplomatic relations.

The President will leave for China today on a seven-day marathon tour, during which he would hold discussions with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and senior government officials.

Among the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to be signed during the President's visit are the Hambantota Port development project, Oil exploration in the Western coast, student exchange, cultural co-operation, agriculture, corporate and economic co-operation, eye donation and co-operation in urban development and water supply.

President Rajapaksa will meet his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday for talks on bilateral cooperation.

Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona said the government was particularly interested to encourage Chinese investments in Sri Lanka.

He referred to oil exploration and the Hambantota port development project.

"The Government is also happy that China will help in exploration and development of substantial petroleum resources in the West Coast. In addition, the government expects Chinese involvement in the development of the Hambantota harbour," he said.

He also said Sri Lanka planned to tap the fast growing Chinese tourism market adding that historical and cultural links between the two countries would be an incentive for Chinese tourists to visit Sri Lanka. The number of Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka topped 16,000 last year, a 60 per cent increase from the previous year.

The President will visit Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai and meet potential investors and senior Government officials. He will also attend several trade and investment seminars.

The President will also present an elephant to Chinese President Hu Jintao. A short film, "Goodnight Colombo" will also be screened at the official banquet hosted by the Chinese President.