With the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka has entered a new era with renewed vitality, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said, hailing the full resumption of construction work on the Kadawatha–Mirigama section of the Central Expressway as a major turning point.

Speaking at the official ceremony on 17 September, chaired by President Dissanayake, the ambassador described the recommencement of Section I of the project as a “truly commendable achievement” and a symbol of the enduring friendship between China and Sri Lanka.

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, he extended warm congratulations and expressed heartfelt appreciation to all those who had worked tirelessly to advance the project despite significant challenges in recent years.

He stressed that the Central Expressway Project is not only a major infrastructure undertaking but also a top priority for the Sri Lankan government, a key step towards overcoming economic difficulties and achieving national revitalisation, and a “new landmark” of the China–Sri Lanka partnership.

Ambassador Zhenhong expressed confidence that both countries would continue to work together “in the spirit of sincerity and pragmatic cooperation” to ensure the project’s timely and high-quality completion and deliver tangible benefits to the Sri Lankan people.