A look back at China's infrastructure projects aiding Sri Lanka
The Lotus Tower is another project implemented in Sri Lanka under a Chinese loan. The tower is being constructed by the National Electronics Importers and Exporters Corporation of China (CEIEC) and the China Aerospace Long March International Trade Company (ALIT) with a loan from EXIM Bank of China. The Lotus Tower has been built facing the Beira Lake in Colombo. Its main sources of revenue are tourism and leasing of transmission antennas. The tower is expected to function as a radio and television transmission antenna and will be able to accommodate 50 television services and 20 telecommunication service providers. Its shape resembles a lotus flower, which symbolizes the purity, fertility and development of Sri Lankan culture. It is 350 meters high and covers an area of 30,600 square meters. The Lotus Tower is 11th tallest completed tower in Asia and it is also the 19th tallest tower in the world.
The Nelum Pokuna theater in Colombo was also built with the assistance, manpower and management of the government of China in collaboration with the government of Sri Lanka. This is the largest performing arts theater in Sri Lanka. The Chinese government has provided 1 trillion Sri Lankan rupees ($5.1 million) for the construction. This was created by the Beijing Institute of Architectural Designs (BIAD). The architecture of the building is inspired by the 12th century lotus pond in Polonnaruwa, built by king Parakramabahu. It is shaped as a stylized lotus flower with eight petals. The main auditorium has 1,288 seats as well as four finished parts, which can be moved up and down. In addition to the main auditorium, there are two other auditoriums that can accommodate up to three concerts or plays. The height here is 29 meters. It was opened on Dec 15, 2011.
The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, built in the shape of an octagon to showcase the national features of Sri Lanka, is also a donation from the Chinese government. It is a true symbol of Sri Lanka-China friendship. The conference hall has the facilities to translate a speech into seven languages simultaneously. The building also includes a main hall with seating capacity of 1,500, six different rooms with discussion facilities, a lounge, a ballroom, a cinema and a number of office rooms. Sri Lankan workers and artisans contributed to its construction along with more than 400 Chinese workers and technologists. The conference hall was opened in 1973 and provided the opportunity for the Sri Lankan public to volunteer to participate in its construction.
The Maduruoya South Bank Development Project is another project funded by the government of China to assist the development of Sri Lanka. The project is being implemented with 100 percent loan assistance from EXIM Bank of China and the total estimated cost is 6.969 trillion Sri Lankan rupees. With this project, 39,000 hectares will be newly developed and the sluice will be raised by two cubic meters. Accordingly, the additional water will increase by a capacity of 229 cubic meters. Simultaneously, the highway system in the area will be developed. The project will directly benefit 12,000 farming families. Along with this, a sugar factory will be set up in the area and the government aims to attract investors for it. It is hoped that eco-tourism business associated with this project will be developed in relation to Thoppigala and its proximity to the East Coast.
The Moragahakanda - Kalu Ganga Development Project, the largest multipurpose irrigation project in operation in Sri Lanka, is also a major operational project being implemented with loan assistance from the government of China. The Moragahakanda Kalu Ganga Project, initiated with the assistance of the Chinese government at a cost of $310 billion, is being implemented with the objective of resolving the agricultural and drinking water problems of the farming community in Rajarata. The project is expected to add 25 megawatts of electricity to the national grid and supply water to 87,000 farming families in the Matale, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Anuradhapura districts during the Yala season.
The China-Sri Lanka Friendship Nephrology Hospital in the Polonnaruwa District is currently being built with Chinese assistance for kidney patients, and expected to be the largest hospital in South Asia. This 200-bed hospital, valued at 1.2 trillion Sri Lankan rupees, is equipped with all modern medical equipment to treat kidney disease. This special hospital in Polonnaruwa would add more value to this city and the hospital would treat thousands of people suffering from chronic kidney diseases. It will provide all clinical services, laboratory services and counseling services to patients with kidney diseases, including kidney transplant surgeries and blood transfusion services.
China and Sri Lanka have maintained a friendship first forged through the ancient Silk Road, and ties between the two countries have been growing stronger than ever. Bilateral relations have evolved into a multidisciplinary strategic relationship in many areas, including political, economic, social, educational and cultural. Undoubtedly, this has ushered in a new and bright start in common diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The author is a lecturer at Yunnan University School of Foreign Languages, former consultant for China Radio International (CRI) Sinhala Service, and senior Sri Lankan journalist.
