Twinning of Nuwara Eliya and Yongzhou city of China

by P. Rajaratnam in Nuwara Eliya

At a glittering ceremony held at the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, the two cities Nuwara Eliya and the Chinese city of Yongzhou were twined as two sister cities in the distinguished presence of the Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, and the Chief Minister, Central Provincial Council Sarath Ekanayake, and the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya Chandanalal Karunaratne.

Speaking at the function, Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa recalled his visit to China and the city of Yongzhou, together with a delegation comprising the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya and others and where Memorandum of Understanding was signed twining Nuwara Eliya and the city of Yongzhou.

Exactly within an year the Chinese delegation from that city has now visited Nuwara Eliya with the Mayor of Yongzhou city.

Gong Wusheng and the Deputy Secretary of the Chinese People's Congress Neikebao, and a host of others for this function.

Kobbekaduwa, recalled the ancient friendly ties between China and Sri Lanka centuries ago, and which existed till todate, and with China presently emerging as a Superpower, the friendly ties will become more stable and a reality.

He said that he was confident that the two cities will promote avenues in the sphere of Education, Tourism, Sports and other cultural activities in the future.

He said that the city of Yongzhou in China had similarity to that of Nuwara Eliya, in the field of vegetation and tourist potential and whereby both the cities could promote, Nuwara Eliya at present beaming to be a tourist centre for all Asian countries and particularly for Sri Lanka. The Mayor of Yongzhou city and the Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Republic Gong Wusheng and Mr. Meikeao, spelled out that their cities will forge ahead towards promoting tourism, education, sports and other cultural activities for the citizens and the youth of Nuwara Eliya, and for the entire Central Province.

The Chief Minister of the Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, said that recently the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa visited China to renew the ties between the two countries.

He recalled the Sri Lanka China trade pacts, where for centuries the two countries were involved and that our country was to importing rice, and exporting rubber for years together.