Ahead of Sri Lanka’s upcoming elections, the island’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has embarked on a four-day tour of China and met with the country’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sun Weidong.
Rajapaksa, who was forced to resign from his post as Prime Minister amidst mass protests in May 2022, was welcomed warmed by Chinese officials. During his meeting with Minister Weidong, the Minister recalled the Chinese premier’s visit to Sri Lanka in 2014, under Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration.
Glad to meet Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong in Beijing today. Appreciate China's unwavering support and our strong partnership under the Belt and Road Initiative. Looking forward to further collaboration for Sri Lanka's development. @ChinaEmbSL pic.twitter.com/wDwKGPpQOh
— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) June 28, 2024
Beijing formed strong connections with the Rajapaksa clan during their Belt and Road Initiative in 2013. During Rajapaksa’s 2015campaign, at least $7.6 million went directly from a majority state-owned Chinese corporation to the Rajapaksa’s campaign expenditure. Hundreds of thousands of dollars went to pay for “gifts” to supporters of the Rajapaksa and the Chinese ambassador at the time openly campaigned on behalf of Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Despite his forced resignation, the former Sri Lankan president has returned to play a leading role in his party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and is reported to be handpicking a candidate for the party to run during the election.
During the discussions, Rajapaksa showered the Chinese with praise stating:
“China's growth rate is setting a benchmark for developing countries such as Sri Lanka. We are impressed by the role that China is playing today in strengthening the economies of countries in Africa. We also follow with interest the leading role that China is now playing in facing up to the challenges of climate change and protection of the environment".
He further claimed that relations between China and Sri Lanka are at the highest levels of friendship and understanding.
China is Sri Lanka's largest bilateral lender owning 52 per cent of the $40 billion external debt when Sri Lanka announced its sovereign default in 2022. China has also played an active role in shielding Sri Lanka from international criticism over its dire human rights record as evidenced by repeated rejections of the United Nations Human Right Council’s resolution.
Rajapaksa is expected to participate in the conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
