President takes 100-member team to China

A business boom with China is expected when President Mahinda Rajapaksa takes a jumbo delegation of about 100, including more than 40 business chiefs, to work out joint ventures with a country that is showing the fastest economic growth in the world.

A special SriLankan airlines flight has been chartered to take the presidential delegation to China today with some 15 ministers also going.

In addition to the business deals, the visit is aimed at improving bilateral relations with the signing of economic-cooperation agreements while there will also be events to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The business delegation headed by Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry chief Nawaz Rajabdeen, includes Susantha Rathnayaka (John Keells), Tilak de Zoysa (AMW), Dhammika Perera (Royal Ceramic), Cecille Kotelawala (Ceylinco group), K.J. Dharamadasa (Nawaloka), Sumal Perera, (Access group), Aslam Omar (Brandix Garments) and Ravi Wijeratne (Grey Line).

At the President’s request, members from regional chambers in Hambantota, Matara, Kegalle, Kandy and Galle are also in the delegation.

The ministerial team includes Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayke, ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Dinesh Gunawardena, Rohitha Bogollagama, Sarath Amunugama, A.H.M. Fowzie, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Dallas Alahaperuma, A.L.M. Athaullha, P. Chandrasekaran, Religious Affairs and non-Cabinet ministers Pandu Bandaranayaka and Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

One of the main agreements to be signed relates to the controversial Hambantota port project, regarding which sacked minister Mangala Samaraweera has made serious allegations.