Colombo, 29 June 2022 (TDI): On Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka tweeted about the arrival of Chinese food assistance to Sri Lankan students.
Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong officially handed over the rice to Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena. He is the Acting Minister of Education of Sri Lanka and also Minister of Transport, Highways, and Mass Media.
The 44 containers of rice arrived in Sri Lanka. They contained 1000 metric tons of rice. People of China have donated rice to the Srilankan students. The rice is handed over to the Srilankan Ministry of Education.
China has gifted a total of 10,000 metric tons of rice to Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan government will distribute it in 7,900 different schools around the country. This food aid by China will support School Meal Program for the next six months.
Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong mentioned that the vulnerable population is suffering the most in the current economic crisis. Especially the children of low-income families are the biggest victims of this economic crisis.
China is supporting the School Meal Program to provide daily nutritious meals. The program will benefit 1.1 million children in 7,900 different schools across Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Qi updated that next and following week, two more shipments will arrive. More shipments are in the pipeline.
He mentioned that China is trying its best to support Sri Lanka in this time of crisis. China will do everything in its reach to sustain Srilanka’s School Meal Program for the next three months.
Extending the assistance
The Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka is in discussion with the Srilankan ministry of education for further assistance.
44 containers of 1,000 metric tonnes rice donated by #Chinese people to #SriLankan students have arrived and been handed over to 🇱🇰 Ministry of Education today.
🇨🇳 gifts a total of 10,000 MT of rice to 7900 schools across #lka and supports its School Meal Program for 6 months. pic.twitter.com/EGnYHMnpt6
— Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka (@ChinaEmbSL) June 28, 2022
China aims to provide uniforms for the Sri Lankan students for the new school year. Ambassador Qi announced this at the hand-over ceremony.
The Srilankan leaders express their thanks to China. They hoped that this step will further solidify the relations between the people of the two nations.
