-By LeN Defence and Diplomatic Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -31.July.2025, 9.20 PM) The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka marked the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with a grand reception at Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo on Wednesday(30) evening, attended by a high-profile gathering of political leaders, military commanders, diplomats, and foreign defence attachés.
The event, held to commemorate the establishment of the PLA on 1 August 1927, underscored China’s growing defence and diplomatic presence in the Indian Ocean region, as well as its long-standing military ties with Sri Lanka.
Among the prominent Sri Lankan dignitaries in attendance were Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest, Defence Secretary General Sampath Thuyacontha , and the heads of the Sri Lankan Army, Navy, and Air Force. Also present were several former Presidents and Prime Ministers, the former Speaker of Parliament, and senior officials from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, western province Governor.
The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Qi Zhenhong, delivered a formal address highlighting the PLA’s historic role in China’s national development and global peacekeeping, while also reiterating the strategic friendship between Beijing and Colombo.
“In times of both hardship and progress, China and Sri Lanka have stood together,” Ambassador Qi stated, emphasising the “unbreakable military and diplomatic cooperation that has served as a pillar of mutual trust and stability in the region.”
Deputy Minister Jayasekara, in his keynote address, praised the enduring ties between the two countries, particularly in defence training, maritime cooperation, and disaster response. “The PLA has been a steadfast partner in Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernise its defence capabilities while respecting our sovereignty and non-aligned principles,” he remarked.
The event drew a wide range of distinguished guests, including military officers, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Chinese nationals residing in Sri Lanka, and visiting Chinese officials. The Defence Attaché of the Chinese Embassy and the Deputy Defence Attache formally welcomed the invitees and offered a toast to the PLA’s legacy and future.
The formal proceedings were followed by an introduction of the PLA ‘s video presentation and an elaborate dinner reception featuring Chinese and Sri Lankan cuisine, reinforcing a spirit of camaraderie and soft diplomacy.
This year’s PLA Day celebration comes amid renewed regional attention on Indo Pacific and Indian and Pakistani conflicts - Geo Political tensions in the Indian Ocean. However, Colombo continues to balance its strategic partnerships, with senior officials reiterating that Sri Lanka welcomes engagement from all nations in line with its national interest.
The PLA’s 98th anniversary in Colombo offered not only a ceremonial tribute to military history but also a quiet reaffirmation of China’s growing influence in South Asia’s evolving geopolitical theatre.
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by (2025-07-31 15:52:19)
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