President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) – Mr. Lin Songtian has arrived in Sri Lanka for a 04-day tour.
He was warmly received by the Sri Lanka – China Friendship societies at the Shangri-La hotel today (12) and is expected to deliver a special speech next Tuesday (15).
Mr. Lin Songtian (62) entered China’s foreign service in 1986, and had rich working experience in the Foreign Ministry of China as Deputy Director General of Personnel (2007-2008), DG of Foreign Affairs Management (2010-2014) and DG of African Affairs (2014-2017).
He was posted at Chinese missions in Saudi Arabia (1989-1993) and Zambia (1999-2003) before being appointed as Chinese Ambassador to Liberia (2003-2007), Malawi (2008-2010) and South Africa (2017-2020).
Since 2020, he has been the President of the CPAFFC.
The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) is a national people’s organization engaged in people-to-people diplomacy of the People’s Republic of China. The aims of the Association are to enhance people’s friendship, further international cooperation, safeguard world peace and promote common development. On behalf of the Chinese people, it makes friends and deepens friendship in the international community and various countries around the world, lays and expands the social basis of friendly relations between China and other countries, and works for the cause of human progress and solidarity. It implements China’s independent foreign policy of peace, observing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, while carrying out all-directional, multi-level and broad-area people-to-people friendship work to serve the great cause of China’s peaceful development and reunification and contribute to the building of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity. In launching its activities, it has support from the government and assistance from all sectors of the society. It has set up 46 China-regional or China-national friendship organizations and established relationships of friendly cooperation with nearly 413 nongovernment organizations and institutions in 157 countries.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath today (May 14) met with the Canadian High Commissioner in Colomno to formally object to Canada’s approval and inauguration of a Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton, Ontario.
Minister Herath had reiterated the Government of Sri Lanka’s strong objections regarding the unfounded genocide allegations and the approval of constructing such a monument, which complicates and undermines the government’s efforts toward reconciliation and national unity.The MFA statement issued in this regard is as follows :
Notorious underworld figure – Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, alias Harak Kata, has claimed that he is being detained in Tangalle over his refusal to pay a Rs. 300 million bribe allegedly demanded by former Public Security Minister – Tiran Alles and suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. He levelled the allegations before reporters today (May 14) while he was being escorted by police from the Colombo Court Complex following a court hearing.
“There are so many things to say… I will reveal them then,” he had said before being taken back into custody.
Popular tuition teacher Hayeshika Fernando, widely known as ‘Teacher Amma,’ was granted bail by the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today (May 14) over allegedly assaulting a young man.
Her husband and the manager affiliated to her institute, who were previously arrested over the incident, have also been granted bail.
Hayeshika, who had been missing afterwards, had surrendered to the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today.
(Previous News on 14th May, 2025 at 3:33pm)
Tutor Hayeshika surrenders to court
Popular tutor – Hayeshika Fernando, who had been evading arrest, has surrendered to the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.
President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, appearing on behalf of the accused, informed the court that his client had voluntarily surrendered.
Hayeshika’s husband and the manager of the institution she is affiliated with were recently arrested over the alleged assault of a young man.
However, Hayeshika had remained at large until her court appearance today. Three police teams were also appointed to arrest her.