During President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s four-day state visit to China, Sri Lanka marked a significant milestone by securing the largest foreign direct investment to date. This significant achievement was formalized this morning (16) with the signing of an agreement between Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Energy and Sinopec, a leading Chinese international petroleum corporation.  

Under this $3.7 billion investment, a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrels will be constructed in the Hambantota region. A substantial portion of the refinery’s output is planned for export, further enhancing the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.  

This major investment from China is expected to bolster Sri Lanka’s economic growth while uplifting the livelihoods of low-income communities in the Hambantota area. Moreover, the benefits of this project are anticipated to positively impact the overall Sri Lankan population in the near future.  

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake and Director General of Government Information H. S. K. J. Bandara, alongside other dignitaries.  

(President’s Media Division)

Two persons have been killed in a shooting incident in front of the Mannar Court around 9.20 a.m. today (Jan. 16).

Two more who were injured, have been admitted to the Mannar Hospital for treatment.

According to reports, the shooting was carried out by two assailants on a motorcycle.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on a four-day state visit to China, participated in the “Invest in Sri Lanka – Round Table Meeting 2025” held today (Jan. 16), the President’s Media Division states.

The event was organized by both public and private sector entities with the aim of promoting investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.The session was attended by a number of prominent Chinese companies, including China Tianying Inc. (CNTY), China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd., China Communications Construction Company Ltd., China Petrochemical Corporation (SINOPEC Group), Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd., China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), China Energy International Group Company Ltd., and The Guangzhou Public Transport Group, among others, the PMD adds.

President Disanayake also engaged in cordial discussions with the leadership of these corporations.

The forum was attended by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism – Vijitha Herath, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation – Bimal Rathnayake, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Qi Zhenhong and Sri Lankan Ambassador to China – Majintha Jayesinghe, among others.