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Will to continue strengthening friendly relationship with China – Harini  (Video)

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The new government of Sri Lanka expects to continue strengthening friendly relationship with China, said a member of the National People’s Power (NPP) in an interview after the announcement of presidential election results.

On Monday (Sep. 23), Anura Kumara Dissanayake took oaths as the 09th Executive President of Sri Lanka after emerging victorious at the 2024 presidential election held on Sep. 21.

Given that no candidate secured more than 50 percent of the votes, the Election Commission counted the second and third preferences of the two leading candidates, the first time in the history of Sri Lankan presidential election.

Dissanayake obtained 5,634,915 votes in the first count and 105,264 preferential votes during the second count.

Harini Amarasuriya, a member of the NPP, took questions after briefing the media on the election results on Sunday. When responding to a question from a China Media Group (CMG) reporter, she said the new government looks forward to extending the friendly relationship with China.

“We’ve worked very closely with China in the past, and we will continue to do so. We look forward to having a good relationship with China, as we’ve had in the past,” said Harini.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping had also extended his congratulations to his Sri Lankan counterpart.

“I attach great importance to the development of China-Sri Lanka relations, and stand ready to work with you to jointly carry forward our traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, achieve more fruitful outcomes on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, so as to advance the sustained and steady growth of China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship and bring more benefits to the two peoples,” President Xi had said.

Speaking during a media briefing in Beijing on Sep. 23, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman – Lin Jian had also extended the warm wishes of China.

“Sri Lanka’s presidential election was held successfully in an orderly manner on September 21. Mr. Dissanayake was elected as new president of Sri Lanka, and was sworn in. China extends heartfelt congratulations on that. President Xi Jinping has sent a message to President Dissanayake to congratulate him,” Lin said.

“China and Sri Lanka are friendly neighbors. We are willing to work together with President Dissanayake and the new government of Sri Lanka to champion the essence of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and renew the traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka. We will seek closer synergy between our development strategies, and deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, so as to make new progress together in advancing the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship,” he said.

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SLAF helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya during training session

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A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09) into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

The incident occurred during a training exercise held as part of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces passing-out ceremony in Maduru Oya.

The aircraft was carrying ten Special Forces soldiers and two pilots at the time of the incident.

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American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

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Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

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Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

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The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.

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