China agrees to fund a hospital for kidney patients

The Government of China has agreed to provide funding to Sri Lanka to build a hospital with all the modern facilities to cater to patients with kidney diseases, president media unit said. When President Maithripala Sirisena met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing today to hold bilateral discussions with the Chinese President, he agreed to provide assistance to build the hospital at the request of President Sirisena. President Maithripala appreciated the assistance given by the Government of China and he further said that Sri Lanka will utilize more direct investments by China into the State and private sectors than the past era of the country. President Xi said that China wants to strengthen ties between the two countries and take cooperation to a higher level. The Chinese President appreciated the good governance policy by President Maithripala, as well as the steps taken by the Government to safeguard the independence of the judiciary within the country. The Chinese President said that his Government will provide development aid, which can be more useful to Sri Lanka and he agreed to work in cooperation with SAARC Member countries. The Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the Government of China will give its fullest support in international fora on issues of alleged human rights issues regarding Sri Lanka. He expressed his deep appreciation to the Chinese Government for the grant assistance to establish a hospital, a special laboratory and a modern pharmaceutical laboratory institute for the research and treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease in Sri Lanka, the latter being an acute health problem affecting many segments of the population in the country, and therefore warranting high-level remedial action. President Sirisena also welcomed the offer by China of 2000 training opportunities for young scientists from Sri Lanka in the next five years, as well as the further promotion of cultural exchanges and Chinese language training in Sri Lanka.